Story by Cynthia Griggs July 7, 2026 at 03:00PM When Assistant Chief of Training Tiana Bykowski stepped into her previous role as a training specialist at Hill Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services, she learned the difficult lesson that there are no guarantees on the fireground. It is an environment where egos can compromise safety and where the stakes are life and death.
Now named the Department of War Fire Service Instructor of the Year, Bykowski has spent her time transforming how firefighters acquire critical skills, and moving toward an authentic, decision-based philosophy.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/569498/leading-with-authenticity-meet-dow-fire-service-instructor-year"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2607/9797180/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Leading with authenticity: Meet the DoW Fire Service Instructor of the Year" /></a>
