2026
SCOT OF THE YEAR
The Silver Thistle Award is the highest honor granted by the Nevada Society of Scottish Clans, recognizing significant contributions to science, business, medicine, education, fine arts, and/or philanthropy of a person of Scottish heritage who is a permanent resident of northern Nevada or northeast California.
Retired Nevada State Fire Marshall, Named 2026 ‘SCOT OF THE YEAR’
The Nevada Society of Scottish Clans proudly presents its 2026 Silver Thistle Award recipient, Peter J. Mulvihill. The Silver Thistle Award is the highest honor granted by the Society and the recipient is known as Scot of the Year. The award recognizes significant contributions to business, medicine, education, fine arts, and/or philanthropy of a permanent resident in northern Nevada or northeast California.
Pete’s distinguished, 38-year career was dedicated to the protection of life and property. It began in 1978 as a field engineer and culminated with Pete achieving the highest-level leadership position in fire service in the State of Nevada, serving as State Fire Marshal from 2011 until his retirement in 2016.
As State Fire Marshal, Pete had extensive authority, broad responsibilities, and significant influence on state policy. It required years of extensive training, certifications and progressive experience in fire safety, fire prevention, fire investigations, enforcement of codes, and licensure as a professional engineer in the field of fire protection.
Additionally, it necessitated a reputation of trust, respect, integrity, and knowledge; the ability to interface with local, state, federal and international agencies; and to negotiate effective outcomes that were amenable to all parties, regardless of diverse interests and goals. He was determined to make a difference and not simply satisfy the requirements of a job description or to fulfill his tenure in status quo.
Pete streamlined and modernized the State Fire Marshal’s regulations to provide a paperless application and renewal process for licenses and permits. He restructured the administrative appeals process by changing it from a sole decision issued by the Fire Marshal to a process in which appeals of the Fire Marshal’s decision could be made utilizing the governor-appointed Board of Fire Services in an open meeting setting. This resulted in equitable decision making from a broader group of fire service professionals in a public environment. He was responsible for implementation of Nevada’s first Wildland-Urban Interface Code, which was incorporated in statute by the Nevada Legislature and signed by the governor. This vital code aims to protect life and property in areas where human development meets wildland by providing standards for fire-resistant construction, emergency access, and creating defensible space around structures.
Because of Pete’s knowledge and highly-regarded reputation, he served on many prestigious boards, commissions, and committees, often at the behest of Nevada’s governor; and generously shared his time and expertise through volunteerism, collaboration, and advocacy. Examples include appointment by the governor to the Nevada State Board of Fire Services, 2001-2007, serving as chair 2003-2004 and 2006-2007; the Nevada State Fire Services Standards and Training Committee, 2009-2011; and, in 1988, to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission to Examine the Adequacy of Existing Regulations Pertaining to the Manufacture and Storage of Highly Combustible Materials, following the devastating explosion at the PEPCON facility in Henderson, NV.
Congratulations to the 2026 Scot of the Year, Pete Mulvihill, who dedicated 38 remarkable years to the protection of life and property.