What Will I Do When I Retire?

Joseph Chornock has been a volunteer in Montgomery County, MD for over 45 years and has held almost all of the administrative and operational positions including 21 years as a paramedic and 10 years as the President.
He has been the fire chief of the Germantown Volunteer Fire Dept, Inc., for 6 years and a chief officer since 1995. He has been a member of the IAFC-VCOS since 2003. Joe enjoys teaching the principles of the VCOS ribbon reports.
He currently serves as the membership secretary for the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association.

40 plus years with the Frankfort FD, 29 years as Chief, started out as a Proud Volunteer
6 plus years as Executive Director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association.
Masters’ degree in Public Administration, numerous state and national certifications.
Field instructor with VCOS Beyond Hoses & Helmets along with Leading the Transition.
On staff with the Illinois Fire Service Institute {IFSI}, several local community colleges and universities. Member of the Illinois Firefighters Medal of Honor Committee & Foundation.
Recognitions to include Chief Emeritus, Chief of the Year, IFCA President 2000-2001
Married to Bobbi for 51 years, 3 children, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
In my 2nd go round as retired, trying to figure out what is next. One thing for sure I will always be a proud Volunteer and never forget how & where it all started.

John M. Buckman III served as a German Township Fire Chief managing volunteers for 35 years. He is most proud of the title “pawpaw.” Leslie his wife has spent 29 years together. He currently serves as Education Coordinator for the International Association of Fire Chief Volunteer and Combination Officers Section. He is the Director of Government and Regional Outreach for IamResponding. He served as the Indiana Fire Academy Director for 15 years. He served as President of the International Association of Fire Chief in 2001-2002.

He has authored over 150 articles in various publications. In 1996 he was selected by Fire Chief Magazine as Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. He has published 4 books and 7 photography books. He received the Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Meritorious Service Award. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022 he received the Jimmy Seavey Health and Wellness award presented by the NVFC. and the Presidents Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.

He was one of the founders of the Volunteer and Combination Officer Section (VCOS) and the National Fire Academy Alumni Association. He has contributed to several “ribbon reports” published by the VCOS. He was asked to be one of the editors for the original Lavender Ribbon Report published by the VCOS and NVFC in 2019. In 2021 he along with Brian McQueen spearheaded the update for the Lavender Ribbon Report. He is a principal author of the Yellow Ribbon Report and the updated updated Training Volunteers white paper published by the National Volunteer Fire Council and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section.