Retired Wildwood Fire Chief Daniel Speigel was recognized with the Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award for decades of service advancing the foundation’s mission

EMMITSBURG, Md. — The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) named retired Wildwood, New Jersey, Fire Chief Daniel Speigel as the 2025 recipient of the Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award.

Named for Arthur J. Glatfelter, founder of Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services (VFIS), the award is one of the NFFF’s highest honors and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing the foundation’s mission, the foundation said in a statement.

Speigel is the construction/fire official for North Wildwood and an executive committee member with the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association for Cape May County. A longtime supporter of the NFFF, he has served since 2011 as a volunteer, donor and ambassador, and he is a member of New Jersey’s Local Assistance State Team, which helps departments after a line-of-duty death.

A longtime leader in New Jersey’s fire service, Speigel helped expand the NFFF’s statewide reach, including securing a platform to address more than 20,000 firefighters each year at the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association Convention. He also helped launch the Fire Hero Beach Bash, which has raised more than $110,000 over three years.

“Chief Daniel Speigel’s leadership, generosity, and steadfast commitment to fire service and the NFFF’s mission embody everything the Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award stands for,” NFFF Board Chair Troy Markel said. “His contributions, not only to the NFFF but also his community, are unmatched, and his continued dedication to those in the fire service and their families has made a lasting impact. We are honored to recognize him as this year’s award recipient.”

The NFFF is accepting nominations for the 2026 Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award through Jan. 15. Details are available on the foundation’s website.

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