08/11/2026
Congratulations to Assistant Chief Justin Buehler on receiving the 2026 Alan Brunacini Fire Service Executive Safety Award today at Fire Rescue International in Kansas City.
Here are a few excerpts from his nomination form:
Chief Buehlerâs leadership has fundamentally transformed the Fire Districtâs approach to member wellness, replacing a reactive culture with a proactive, comprehensive health & safety model.
The hallmark of Chief Buehlerâs success lies in his holistic definition of readiness. Recognizing that a Firefighters greatest assets are their body and mind, he moved beyond traditional safety protocols to implement a three tiered wellness program guided by the IAFF â IAFC Wellness Fitness Initiative. This included behavioral and mental health screenings, annual physical fitness assessments, and comprehensive medical physicals.
Chief Buehler has moved the needle from âwellness as a checklistâ to âwellness as a culture.â His work ensures that the members of the Clearcreek Fire District are not only protected on the fireground, but are also supported in their long-term health and well-being. This drastic improvement and organizational safety embodies the spirit of the Alan Brunini Fire Service Executive Safety Award. ďżź
Here are a few excerpts from the members of our Health & Wellness Committee:
It is our honor to formally nominate Assistant Chief Justin Buehler for recognition through the International Association of Fire Chiefsâ Health and Safety committee. In his role as chair of the health and wellness committee for the Clearcreek Fire District, Assistant Chief Buehler has provided the leadership, structure, and direction necessary for the committee to successfully develop and implement a comprehensive health and wellness program that has become a model for surrounding departments.
The Health and Wellness committee was formed with members who were deeply committed to improving firefighter health and performance. With that level of investment came strong opinions, and frequent debate regarding the best path forward. As chairman, Assistant Chief Buehler provided the leadership necessary to channel that energy and a productive outcomes. He maintained focus, insured, accountability, and kept the committee aligned with the broader objective of building a program that is both effective and sustainable.
Under his leadership, the committee transitioned the Wellness Program from a limited external model to a comprehensive, internally supported system. Annual physicals were brought in house to improve accessibility and consistency. The program was expanded to include a structured fitness assessment component, as well as annual engagement with mental health professionals to support behavioral health and resilience.
Throughout the development process, Assistant Chief Buehler played a critical role and maintaining a big picture perspective. He challenged the committee to think beyond individual initiatives and focus on long-term impact. He advocated for the committeeâs work at the administrative level and ensure that viable ideas were supported and implemented. While he maintained final authority, he consistently demonstrated trust in the committee by adopting and advancing its recommendations.
As a result of his collective effort, the Health and Wellness Program has gained recognition beyond our department. It has become a reference point for other agencies seeking to strengthen their own wellness initiatives, and its success has drawn the attention of Youngstown State University for potential research and study. This external interest reflects both the strength of the committeeâs work and the leadership that guided it. ďżź
