Fire Officer Academy 26-01 award winners announced

March 25, 2026

The Fire Officer Academy: The Company Officer class 26-01 was held March 8-13, 2026. Acceptance into the program is extremely competitive; applicants go through two rounds of the selection process before the roster is finalized. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to be selected to attend.

After the roster is finalized and students are on campus at the South Carolina Fire Academy, the intangible magic of the FOA begins to weave its way through the class. It is something better experienced than explained.

As the program has grown, it has become increasingly important to the instructor cadre and alumni to recognize students who set themselves apart during the week. Two awards are given at Fire Officer Academy graduation, the David Lee Crenshaw “Big Dummy” Leadership Award and the James Michael Muller “The J” Award for Excellence.

David Crenshaw was Pendleton Fire Chief for over two decades and served the people of Anderson County in a number of ways, including time as Anderson County Sheriff, Magistrate Judge, and member of Pendleton City Council. Chief Crenshaw died in the line of duty on January 9, 2012.

Clemson University Fire and EMS Captain Ben Crenshaw is a graduate of FOA 22-01, the first-ever class of the Fire Officer Academy, and the son of Chief Crenshaw. The last morning of FOA PT ends at the Firefighter Memorial Plaza where Captain Crenshaw tells the story of his father’s legacy. This award is presented to a student of the Fire Officer Academy selected by their peers for displaying exemplary skill, attitude, and leadership throughout the class.

The FOA 26-01 David Lee Crenshaw “Big Dummy” Leadership Award recipient is Greer Fire Department Captain Brian Collins.

“I am humbled and honored to have received the David Lee Crenshaw “Big Dummy” Leadership Award,” Captain Collins remarked. “This award does not belong to me alone; it belongs to the entire Fire Officer Academy Class 26-01.”

“Being selected by my peers for such an exemplary award will be one of the most humbling and honorable achievements of my career,” he continued, “Carrying the legacy of David Lee Crenshaw will be something I hold tight forever.”

Irmo Fire District firefighter James Michael “J” Muller was a graduate of Fire Officer Academy 23-01 held the first week in March 2023. Seventy-seven short days after graduating from the FOA, J died in the line of duty on May 26, 2023.

It was evident from the moment you met J that he was 100 percent into the job and he loved it with all his heart. His impact on the FOA is indescribable. The James Michael Muller “The J” Award for Excellence was established during the FOA 23-02 program. This award is given to the student of the FOA for being the most proficient and professional candidate of the class. The award recipient is selected by the instructor cadre and given to the student who embodies J’s spirit and shows exceptional skill, consistent attitude, and overall proficiency throughout the week.

The recipient of the FOA 26-01 James Michael Muller “The J” Award for Excellence is Graham Fire Department (NC) Captain Jason Moore.

“Receiving the James Michael Muller ‘The J’ Award is incredibly humbling,” Captain Moore stated. “To know that the instructor cadre saw something in me that represented the values behind that award means a great deal. It’s something I’m very proud of, but more importantly something I feel a responsibility to live up to moving forward.”

Captain Moore continued, “Receiving this award without having an ego attached to it means recognizing that it isn’t really about one person. It represents the influence of mentors, crews, departments, and families that shape who we are as leaders. I’m grateful for the opportunity, but I see it more as encouragement to continue serving others and leading with humility.”

Applications for FOA 26-02, September 27-October 3, open June 1, 2026.