Donald A. Moss, Assistant Fire Marshall for the Virginia Beach, Virginia, Fire Department, was awarded the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award for 2002 in recognition of his strong personal involvement in and commitment to bringing public awareness of safety issues involving fire safety, drug awareness and gang activities. Moss uses his Website, www.vbgov.com/dept/fire/monstertruck/, and his Monster Fire Truck to promote awareness. Nearly one million children have seen and participated in the Virginia Beach, Virginia, Monster Fire Truck Safety Program.

Moss created the world's first "Monster Fire Truck" to use for fire education programs and safety issues after he and his father purchased a 1944 Seagrave fire truck. He consulted with experts in the monster truck industry to meet design and engineering requirements and specifications. The truck later became a public/private partnership between the City of Virginia Beach, the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and private sector sponsors. Students at the Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center's Automotive Technology, Diesel and Apprenticeship Program became partners and helped construct the Monster Fire Truck. The Hampton Roads Transit Authority and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, provided technical expertise in order to power the monster truck with a compressed natural gas engine, which allowed students to learn about and work with a natural gas vehicle. Since no public funds were allocated for this project, Moss sought the support of community organizations and businesses, regionally as well as nationally, that provided parts, labor and funding for this venture. The Virginia Beach Monster Fire Truck was dedicated on September 15, 1995.

Since its debut, the Monster Fire Truck has been featured on television in Hampton Roads and worldwide. It was profiled on the Emergency Education Network based out of the National Emergency Training Center in Emmittsburg, Maryland, a broadcast that is aired throughout the world via satellite.

Moss takes the Monster Fire Truck to drug awareness programs throughout the country. The lessons taught to children, as well as adults, about fire safety and drug awareness are many. Thousands of Monster Fire Truck posters, cards and literature are handed out each year.

Assistant Fire Marshall Moss was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he joined the Kempsville Volunteer Fire Department in 1975. One year later he became employed as a full-time firefighter for the Virginia Beach Fire Department. He has an Associate's Degree in Fire Science from Tidewater Community College, and he has received the City Manager's Creativity, Innovation and Public Service Award in addition to several awards from the Fire Department during his firefighting career.