Award Submissions Close Tuesday 12 May 2026
NAHFO National Awards 2026
Recognising Excellence in Healthcare Fire Safety
The NAHFO National Awards celebrate outstanding contribution, innovation, leadership and professional excellence in healthcare fire safety.
These awards recognise individuals, teams and branches who are making a measurable difference across NHS and healthcare organisations. The programme aims to highlight best practice, share learning across the sector, and showcase the people and projects that are advancing healthcare fire safety.
Winners will be announced at the NAHFO Conference in Liverpool on 9 June.
Key Dates
- Nominations open: Monday 18 March
- Nominations close: Tuesday 12 May
- Shortlisted nominees notified: Week commencing 27 May
- Winners announced: 9 June (NAHFO Conference, Liverpool)
Who Can Enter?
Who can be nominated?
- NAHFO members
- NAHFO branches
- NHS Trust or healthcare fire safety teams
- Individuals working in healthcare fire safety
- Professionals supporting healthcare fire safety (including estates, compliance, clinical or project colleagues)
- Nominees do not need to be NAHFO members.
Who can nominate?
- NAHFO members
- Heads of Estates or senior NHS leaders
- Fire safety professionals
- Industry partners or fire safety suppliers
- Professional peers
- Self-nominations are permitted.
Award Categories
To help you select the most appropriate category, please review the descriptions below.
Fire Safety Team of the Year
This award recognises an NHS Trust or healthcare fire safety team that has demonstrated outstanding collective performance in managing and improving fire safety within their organisation. This category focuses on operational excellence and team performance.
Judges will look for:
- Strong teamwork and leadership
- Clear evidence of improved compliance or risk reduction
- Measurable outcomes
- Sustainable improvements
Fire Safety Project of the Year
This award recognises a specific fire safety project that has delivered measurable improvement in safety, compliance or risk management. This category focuses on successful delivery and impact of a defined project.
Examples may include:
- Compartmentation remediation programmes
- Digital fire safety systems implementation
- Major risk reduction initiatives
- Fire strategy development projects
Young Fire Professional of the Year
This award recognises an emerging fire safety professional who has demonstrated exceptional commitment, development and contribution early in their career. This category celebrates future leaders in healthcare fire safety.
Judges will consider:
- Professional growth
- Leadership potential
- Contribution to healthcare fire safety
- Positive influence within their organisation
National Award for Innovation in Healthcare Fire Safety
This award recognises an individual, team or branch that has developed a genuinely innovative approach to solving a healthcare fire safety challenge. This category focuses on original thinking and transferable innovation, whether fully implemented or not.
Innovation may include:
- New methodologies
- Creative problem-solving
- Process redesign
- Novel application of technology
National Award for Research and Education in Healthcare Fire Safety
This award recognises structured research, academic work or educational initiatives that advance knowledge within healthcare fire safety. This category focuses on evidence-based learning and knowledge development.
Examples may include:
- University dissertations
- Research papers
- Sector guidance development
- Structured training or educational programmes
National NAHFO Ambassador Award
This award recognises an individual, team or branch that has made a significant contribution to promoting and advancing NAHFO’s aims and professional standing. This category focuses on contribution to NAHFO as an organisation.
Judges will look for:
- Representation of NAHFO externally
- Branch leadership
- Growing engagement
- Championing healthcare fire safety on behalf of the Association
Chair’s Special Recognition Award (Discretionary)
This award may be presented at the discretion of the Chair to recognise an exceptional contribution to healthcare fire safety or to NAHFO that does not fall within the defined award categories. It may be awarded where an individual, team or branch has demonstrated outstanding contribution beyond the scope of the published categories.
This award is:
- Not open for nomination
- Not included in the online submission form
- Not subject to the standard judging process
What Judges Are Looking For
Across all categories, judges will assess:
- Clear evidence of impact
- Measurable improvement where possible
- Demonstrable benefit to healthcare fire safety
- Transferable learning
- Professional clarity in the submission
Shortlisted nominees will be notified in advance of the Conference, with winners announced on 9 June.
Ready to Submit?
Click below to complete the online nomination form.
NAHFO Annual Conference & Exhibition 2026
University of Liverpool | 8–10 June 2026
