A fire prevention inspector with Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire and Emergency Services has been named one of only 10 recipients across North America of a 2026 NFPA Rising Star award, recognizing her dedication to teaching fire safety in the community.
Brianna Varsamis earned the honour from the National Fire Protection Association for her work implementing fire and life safety programs locally, including fire prevention lessons for schoolchildren and fall prevention sessions for seniors. The annual award goes to educators who bring NFPA resources to residents in practical, life-saving ways.
Varsamis will attend the NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center from June 22 to 24, 2026, where she’ll connect with thousands of safety professionals from around the world. The recognition covers her travel, conference registration, and lodging.
Fire Chief Bill Snowball expressed pride in Varsamis’s achievement, pointing to her everyday commitment to lowering the risk of fire and related hazards for Stouffville families. The department has now received multiple national awards, including the 2025 Bringing Safety Home Award for its work promoting home fire sprinklers.
Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire and Emergency Services, based at 100 Weldon Road in Stouffville, runs fire safety education programs alongside inspections, burn permits, and emergency response for nearly 50,000 residents.
