Cheryl Flick Receives 2026 Golden Sparky Award

Roseburg Fire Marshal, Cheryl Flick, received the 2026 Golden Sparky Award on Wednesday in recognition of her work in community risk reduction and public safety outreach in Roseburg.

The award is presented through the Oregon State Fire Marshal and honors a fire service member or agency for outstanding achievement in fire prevention or public safety education. The Golden Sparky Award has been given since 1977 and is one of the state’s long-running recognitions for prevention-focused work in the fire service.

Flick was recognized for efforts aimed at helping residents better understand fire risks, improve safety habits and reduce the chance of emergencies before they happen. Community risk reduction work can include outreach, education, home safety awareness and connecting residents with information that helps them prepare for fire and other hazards.

Virgil Osborne said Flick’s recognition was tied to her work in Roseburg, where public safety outreach has remained an important part of the fire department’s role in the community.

While firefighters are often recognized for emergency response, the Golden Sparky Award focuses on the prevention side of the profession. That work happens before an alarm is ever called in and often centers on helping residents, businesses and families make safer decisions.

Flick’s award highlights the impact of local fire prevention work and the value of outreach programs designed to keep the community safer.