NFPA honors Jessica Xenakis as 2023 Fire Prevention and Life Safety Educator of the Year

June 19, 2023 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced that Jessica Xenakis is the recipient of the Fire Prevention and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award for 2023. Ms. Xenakis received her award at the Stars at Night awards gala held on June 18th, in Las Vegas, as part of the annual NFPA Conference and Expo.

Ms. Xenakis currently serves as the Fire and Life Safety Education Coordinator for the Virginia Beach Fire Department (VBFD). With over a decade of instructional experience, she has been instrumental in transforming fire and life safety education within her community since joining VBFD in 2019.

Each year, NFPA presents this award to a dedicated educator who is employed by a local fire department or fire marshal’s office in the U.S. or Canada. The recipient of this award consistently and creatively utilizes NFPA’s materials and demonstrates exceptional innovation in reaching out to the community to address their evolving fire safety needs.

Ms. Xenakis was recognized for successfully launching a comprehensive virtual learning resource, www.vbfdlifesafety.com, and for developing the innovative "Safety Squad" program. This interactive fire and injury prevention curriculum seamlessly aligns with Virginia's Standards of Learning and NFPA’s Educational Messages Advisory Committee Desk Reference.

As a respected figure in her field, Ms. Xenakis also serves as a contract instructor in Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention at the National Fire Academy. Earlier this year, Ms. Xenakis was honored with the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Award of Excellence in Community Risk Reduction, underscoring her pivotal role in promoting community safety.

For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research and resources, please visit the NFPA press room.