Rep. Haraz N. Ghanbari Named OAPFF 2026 Legislator of the Year
State Rep. Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) has been named the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters’ 2026 Legislator of the Year in recognition of his support for Ohio’s firefighters, first responders and public safety professionals.
Ghanbari received the award during the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters’ 55th Biennial Conference. During the presentation, OAPFF read a resolution recognizing Ghanbari as a tireless advocate for public safety and safety forces, including fire, police and EMS personnel. The resolution also noted his support and sponsorship of legislative efforts vital to the health, safety and well-being of Ohio firefighters.
“Representative Haraz Ghanbari has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Ohio’s professional firefighters, paramedics and all first responders,” said Jon Harvey, president of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters. “Throughout his service in the Ohio General Assembly, he has been a strong advocate not only for public safety, but also for the health, wellness and long-term well-being of those who answer the call every day.”
Harvey said Ghanbari’s support for initiatives addressing mental health, occupational cancer, post-traumatic stress and other critical issues facing first responders has made a meaningful difference for OAPFF members and their families.
“Many legislators say they support first responders. Representative Ghanbari proves it through his actions. Time and again, he has listened to our concerns, worked alongside OAPFF on important legislative priorities and stood with firefighters and paramedics when it mattered most,” Harvey said. “His accessibility, leadership and genuine commitment to the men and women who protect Ohio’s communities make him a deserving recipient of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters’ Legislator of the Year Award. On behalf of more than 14,000 OAPFF members across Ohio, we thank Representative Ghanbari for his friendship, his partnership and his steadfast dedication to improving the lives of Ohio’s first responders.”
The recognition also carries special meaning in Ghanbari’s home community, where local firefighters said his support for first responders has been consistent throughout his public service.
“I have known Haraz Ghanbari since before he served on Perrysburg City Council, and I have watched him stand with first responders every step of the way,” said Lt. Fred Kyle, president of Perrysburg Firefighters IAFF Local 3331. “As our state representative, Haraz has never wavered — not when the issues were difficult, not when the pressure was high and not when others might have stepped back. He has been a consistent, trusted and effective voice for firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel and the families who stand behind them. Naming Haraz the OAPFF 2026 Legislator of the Year is a well-earned recognition of his commitment to those who answer the call.”
Ghanbari said he is humbled by the recognition and remains committed to supporting those who put their lives on the line for Ohioans.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters,” Ghanbari said. “Ohio’s firefighters and first responders do not hesitate when the call comes. They run toward the smoke, toward the wreckage, toward danger — because someone’s life may depend on it. We have a duty to stand with those who stand between danger and our communities.”
Ghanbari has made public safety a priority throughout his time in the Legislature, advancing stand-alone legislation and supporting investments through the state operating and capital budgets. His work has focused on strengthening Ohio’s emergency response capabilities, supporting the men and women who answer the call and ensuring communities have the resources needed to protect residents.
“Public safety is not just another line item in a budget,” Ghanbari said. “It is the foundation of the government’s responsibility to its people. Safe neighborhoods, strong schools, growing businesses and thriving communities all begin with the same basic promise: When someone calls for help, help will come.”
Ghanbari said Ohio must continue to recruit, train, equip and sustain its first responders, and must support firefighters and public safety professionals not only in words, but through meaningful action, sound policy and sustained investment.
Ghanbari previously served as chairman of the Ohio House Homeland Security Committee and continues to serve on the Ohio House Public Safety Committee. During his tenure on the Perrysburg City Council, he served as chairman of the Safety Committee.
As a new legislator, Ghanbari enrolled in a 36-hour volunteer firefighter course to better understand the challenges faced by volunteer firefighters in his legislative district and across Ohio. He has maintained his certification and continues to train with local departments, using those experiences to help inform his work at the Statehouse.
“Training alongside local departments has given me an even deeper respect for the courage, discipline and sacrifice required of our firefighters,” Ghanbari said. “These men and women carry heavy responsibilities on behalf of all of us. They deserve leaders who listen, who understand the mission and who are willing to fight for them.”
Ghanbari said the award is especially meaningful because it comes from those who serve on the front lines every day.
“This recognition belongs to the firefighters who miss holidays with their families, who answer calls in the middle of the night and who put themselves in harm’s way for people they may never meet,” Ghanbari said. “I am grateful for their trust, humbled by this honor and committed to remaining a strong voice for them at the Statehouse.”
The Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters represents professional firefighters across Ohio and advocates for policies that protect firefighters, first responders and the communities they serve.