UAF fire chief Doug Schrage was awarded Chief Officer of the Year by the Interior Fire Chiefs Association. This award is conferred upon an Interior chief fire officer each year and is based on nominations received from members and non-members.

Normally, the annual awards are presented at the Interior Firefighters Ball in November. The ball was canceled this year due to the pandemic. The president and vice president of the association visited the Whitaker Building on Dec. 10 to present the award.

The Interior Fire Chiefs Association is an organization of fire and emergency officials, including fire officers, emergency managers, EMS leaders, wildland fire managers, and support personnel.

Schrage's career as a firefighter started as a student at UAF in 1981. He has served as UAF fire chief for 10 years.