Retired Jersey Shore Fire Chief To Receive Prestigious National Award

WILDWOOD, NJ — A retired Jersey Shore fire chief is being given a prestigious national award.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) announced that retired Wildwood Fire Chief Daniel Speigel of New Jersey is this year’s recipient of the Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award.

The award, named after Arthur J. Glatfelter, a champion of the fire service and founder of the Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services (VFIS), the first company of its kind to meet the insurance needs of volunteer firefighters, is among the most prestigious awards bestowed by the NFFF, according to the foundation. The Glatfelter Award honors his legacy and recognizes individuals such as Speigel who have made exceptional contributions to advancing the foundation’s mission.

Currently, Speigel serves as the Construction/Fire Official for the City of North Wildwood and as an Executive Committeeman for the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association representing Cape May County. He is a dedicated supporter of the NFFF and those in the fire service; since 2011, Speigel has been active in the NFFF community, serving as a volunteer, donor, and ambassador for the foundation. He also serves on the New Jersey Local Assistance State Team (LAST) that assists departments who suffer a firefighter line-of-duty death.

Speigel has used his influence to expand the NFFF’s visibility statewide, helping the foundation reach a greater number of residents, firefighters and their families, according to the NFFF. He played a pivotal role in ensuring the NFFF has the opportunity to address more than 20,000 firefighters annually at the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association Convention, and was instrumental in the creation of Fire Hero Beach Bash, which has raised more than $110,000 in three years.

Additionally, for the past several years, Speigel and his wife, Andrea, have volunteered at NFFF Memorial Weekend, supporting logistics and assisting Fire Hero Families, many of whom are visiting the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial for the first time since losing a loved one.

“Chief Daniel Speigel’s leadership, generosity, and steadfast commitment to fire service and the NFFF’s mission embody everything the Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award stands for,” said Troy Markel, NFFF Board Chair. “His contributions, not only to the NFFF but also his community, are unmatched, and his continued dedication to those in the fire service and their families has made a lasting impact. We are honored to recognize him as this year’s award recipient.”

Speigel is a Certified Public Manager (CPM), a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), and holds numerous licenses, including NJ State Fire Official, NJ State Construction Official, and NJ State Building Sub-code Official HHS, among others. He also served as a Rescue Specialist with New Jersey Task Force-1 (NJ-TF1) Urban Search and Rescue Team, responding to New York City during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Speigel will be presented the Glatfelter Award at an upcoming ceremony, with the details of the presentation to be announced.

The NFFF is still accepting nominations for the 2026 Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award. To learn more about this award and the nomination process, which closes January 15, visit the NFFF's website.