Viscuso Named George D. Post Instructor of the Year Recipient

Frank Viscuso teaching

Deputy Chief (Ret.) Frank Viscuso of the Kearny (NJ) Fire Department is the 2025 recipient of the Fire Engineering/ISFSI George D. Post Instructor of the Year Award.

In nominating Viscuso, Chief Jim Silvernail of the Kirkwood (MO) Fire Department said, “No one can deny that Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso has become one of the most well-known and impactful instructors within our industry.”

Viscuso started his instructor and training journey in 1999 when he was assigned to the training division of his department. As the captain of the Training, Administration and Planning Division, he developed more than 70 standard operating guidelines as well as the probationary firefighter training booklet and a driver training program that members of his department still use today. He also acquired millions of dollars in grant money to help his department purchase and receive training on equipment that includes thermal imaging cameras, technical rescue gear, SCBA, mobile data terminals, and software.

Viscuso is the author of seven books, including industry best-sellers Fireground Operational Guides; Common Valor: True Stories from America’s Bravest; and the popular leadership and team development books Step Up and Lead and Step Up Your Teamwork.

Silvernail said, “Thanks to Frank, Step Up and Lead is a term that almost every firefighter is familiar with today. His intent was to encourage individuals to take an active part in making a positive impact in their organization as well as within their community. The book provides readers with a list of traits that leaders in today’s world must possess as well as practical skills on how people in leadership positions can achieve better results from their team members. Frank shares stories of mistakes he has made and challenges he struggled to overcome in a way that makes people understand that we are all flawed individuals with plenty of room for improvement.”

Viscuso provides leadership and team development seminars and workshops based on the content of his books. To date, more than 35,000 members of the fire service have attended one of his inspirational leadership seminars. It’s not uncommon to walk through a fire station somewhere in the United States and see one of the quotes from his books painted on their walls. He also tackles sensitive yet timely subjects. He speaks openly and honestly about the effects of PTSD, the damage poor leadership can cause, and the importance of suicide awareness and prevention. His intent is to make people in the industry understand that it’s okay to feel anxious or vulnerable and he stresses the importance of firefighters taking care of each other.

Brian Zaitz, ISFSI president, said: “Chief Viscuso was chosen because he epitomizes what it means to be a fire instructor: service before self. No doubt you have read one of his books, sat in on one of his training sessions, or listened to his podcast. He has an innate ability to make you feel comfortable with him and connect with the fire service. He creates a level of comfort through conversation that breaks down barriers, opening honest and clear discussion with the goal to improve yourself so that you can improve the fire service. His sharing of his experiences, knowledge, and education has improved firefighters and fire officers across the world. It is without question that the fire service is stronger because of him. For these reasons and so many more, it was clear that Frank Viscuso was the choice for the 2025 Instructor of the Year!”  

The award, which incorporates the Training Achievement Award previously given by Fire Engineering at FDIC, is named for George D. Post, who was a long-time member of the ISFSI. Post was a member of the Fire Department of New York, an illustrator of fire service publications, and a developer of instructional materials and is considered by many to be the father of visual training material used to train fire service personnel around the world.

Award Presentation: Opening Ceremony Day 2, Thursday, April 10, 2025, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Indiana Convention Center Sagamore Ballroom

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