The Fire Marshals Association of Oklahoma (FMAO) recognized two of Norman’s finest at the organization’s 2024 conference recently.

Fire Marshal Matthew Elliott received the Fire Marshal of the Year Award and Bryant VanFossen, of the City’s Planning & Community Development Department, received the Code Official of the Year Award.

“I am honored to receive this award from FMAO and want to express my deepest gratitude to the Fire Prevention Team, Chief King and the Norman Fire Department,” Elliott said, “as their dedicated support and collaboration were instrumental in making the recognition possible.”

VanFossen echoed Elliott’s sentiments, sharing that he is honored to have received the award.

“It strengthens my resolve to assist the citizens I serve, as well as designers, architects, engineers and other code officials to build the best projects we can, while maintaining life safety and code compliance,” VanFossen said.

Norman Fire Chief Travis King praised both staff members, saying Elliott has led “the most efficient, proactive prevention division in the history of the Norman Fire Department,” and calling VanFossen “an asset to Norman Fire, with skills contributing to ensuring safe buildings are being built in the City of Norman.”

Both men have been recognized for notable achievements. As Fire Marshal, Elliott has worked to help implement the KNOX program, designed to protect commercial structures, and established a drone response program for NFD. Additionally, operational restructuring under his leadership has decreased investigator response time and enhanced the division’s capabilities. As a Code Official, VanFossen’s responsibilities include ensuring that the commercial and residential structures built in the City of Norman – one of Oklahoma’s fastest growing cities – meet all the requirements for safety.

The awards received by Elliott and VanFossen recognize them as the pinnacle of professionalism. Nominations were made by members of FMAO and ultimately voted upon by their board.

The Norman Fire Department provides fire, rescue, medical, and hazardous materials and technical rescue response services for the City of Norman. The city limits encompass 195 square miles and a population of approximately 120,000. Norman maintains nine fire stations, a fired investigation building, fire administration building, and a training center and employs approximately 164 people.

The Department of Planning & Community Development at the City of Norman nurtures the growth of the City and aims to improve the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens. The department does this with active citizen engagement, code enforcement, as well as short- and long-term project planning. The Department of Planning & Community Development is divided into five divisions: Current Planning, Development Services, Geographic Information Services, Community Development Block Grant, and Code Compliance.

Learn more at Normanok.gov.

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