The State of Ohio salutes the elite men and women of Ohio's fire service by placing them in the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame. Initiated in 1980, the selection of the Distinguished Service Award and the Valor Award record a firefighter's induction into the Hall of Fame.

The Ohio Fire Service Valor Award, Heroism Award, Distinguished Service Award, Citizen's Award and the William L. Howard Public Service Award are conferred annually.

The Division of State Fire Marshal has published the criteria and nominating forms for these awards on this site. Individuals or organizations planning to submit nominations should carefully read the submission and selection criteria for each award. Each July, the State Fire Commission meets to review the nominations and select the award recipients. In September, the State Fire Commission holds an awards dinner at the State Fire Marshal's office in Reynoldsburg. At this dinner, firefighters are inducted into the Hall of Fame and citizens are recognized for their accomplishments.