BEMIDJI — Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood received the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association's 2025 Leadership Award during its annual conference, held Oct. 15-18 in Duluth.

The MSFCA president presents this award to an individual or group who has "gone the extra mile to support the fire service" and who has made significant contributions to the success of the fire service and fire-service projects, according to a Bemidji Fire Department Facebook post.

"Under his guidance, the Bemidji Fire Department has grown in capacity, morale and readiness," the post read. "Chief Sherwood’s vision for accountability, continuous improvement and community partnership reflects the very criteria of the award: leadership, innovation and major contributions to the fire service."

Sherwood has served a

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