Chief Cameli Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from AZ Fire Chiefs Association

July 20, 2026 at 2:32 pm

Mesa Fire and Medical Chief Mary Cameli received the 2026 Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA). The award, presented at the AFCA's annual conference, honors Chief Cameli for her work creating a professional, forward-thinking department recognized nationally for innovation and excellence. She championed many initiatives at the Mesa Fire and Medical Department, including cancer prevention through screenings and scans for eligible staff, in-house ambulance services, various pilot programs to expand community care and taking every opportunity to improve services. As Chief, she adopted the department's mission statement: To serve with CARE - Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

"I am humbled and honored to receive the Chief Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Award. Chief Weber's legacy is well known, so to be honored with an award that recognizes those who have dedicated their careers to serving their community is truly an honor," said Mesa Fire Chief Mary Cameli, "With my retirement approaching, as I reflect back on my career, I am very grateful for those who came before me who had such a positive impact on the fire service, and I look forward to seeing how the fire service will progress in the years to come."

Chief Cameli began her career in 1983 as one of the first two women firefighters hired by the City of Mesa. She advanced through every rank, serving 11 years as Assistant Chief before being appointed Fire Chief in November 2016.

"Chief Mary Cameli's Lifetime Achievement Award is a well-deserved recognition of a remarkable career dedicated to protecting others." said Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman "Having served alongside fire fighters firefighter like Mary, I know firsthand the commitment, integrity and leadership it takes to earn the respect of your peers over a lifetime of service. Her impact on the fire service extends far beyond the departments she has led; she has helped shape the next generation of firefighters across Arizona. On behalf of the City of Mesa, I congratulate Chief Cameli on this tremendous honor and thank her for a lifetime spent making our communities safer."

Chief Cameli is the Past President of AFCA and currently serves on the board. She is Chair of the International Fire Service Training Association Board and a board member of the International Center for Public Safety Excellence, where she served as president for three years. Additionally, she is active in the community, serving as a Past Chair of the Child Crisis Arizona Board; a 16-year member of Mesa Sunrise Rotary, serving as president in 2012 and is Past President of the Community Bridges Board.

Chief Cameli is the third Mesa fire official to be honored with the AFCA's Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Award, joining retired Mesa Fire Chief Dennis Compton and retired Mesa Fire Captain Bryan Jeffries. The award is named in honor of retired fire chief Bob Weber, who was a Past President of AFCA and served as the Executive Director of the association.