The Arizona Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA) has selected two top chiefs from the Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department to receive prestigious statewide honors at its annual conference.

Buckeye Fire Chief Jake Rhoades has been named the recipient of the Alan V. Brunacini Chief Fire Officer of the Year award. This selective honor is awarded to only one Chief Fire Officer statewide each year. It recognizes leaders who have served in their role in Arizona for at least five years and whose contributions reflect the ideals, dedication and service excellence of the late Chief Alan Brunacini.

Since taking command in 2021, Chief Rhoades has proactively positioned the department to scale with Buckeye's rapid growth while successfully leading it through the rigorous international accreditation process. A champion for regional safety, he has strengthened consistent training across agency lines within Arizona’s automatic aid system and oversees the city's entire emergency operations framework. Rhoades serves as President of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association and was a principal developer of "Chief Strong," a vital peer network providing critical mental wellness support to fire chiefs across the state.

Additionally, Assistant Chief Rayne Gray has been selected to receive the newly established Chief Dennis Compton Emerging Leader Award. Introduced by the AFCA Board in 2026 to honor retired Fire Chief Dennis Compton, the award recognizes sworn or civilian members who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovative thinking, resilience and a steadfast passion for advancing the Arizona Fire Service.

Gray’s nomination stems from a career built on the strong foundation of United States Marine Corps discipline and a deep commitment to regional fire partnership. Beyond his proven track record managing budgets and capital projects, Gray has poured his time into mentoring the next generation of firefighters, creating a dedicated leadership program for aspiring captains. He consistently leads the charge to prioritize firefighter health and safety on every call, advocating for a culture of support and accountability among his crew.

Buckeye is incredibly proud of Chief Rhoades and Assistant Chief Gray for their exceptional leadership and well-deserved statewide recognition, which reflects the high standard of excellence and dedication they bring to protecting our residents every day.

Both awards were presented during the Opening Ceremonies of the AFCA/AFDA Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Conference Center.