| IAFC Hazmat Commitee Awards honor profession's best |
The IAFC Hazardous Materials Committee honored the best in the profession during the successful 2009 International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference.
At the opening general session, representatives of the committee presented the Chairman's Award, three Level A awards and the John Eversole Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chairman's Award
Glen Rudner, Hazmat Officer with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, received the 2009 Chairman's Award, which recognizes an individual who has worked tirelessly to enhance hazmat emergency response. He was honored for contributions as a hazmat instructor and for his role as technical advisor to fire departments with hazmat response programs, as well as his subject-matter expertise at hazmat incidents and other emergencies.
Rudner also is involved at the state and national level, serving on several committees including NFPA 472. He is also co-vice-chairman of the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition and is principal author of the new EERC/IAFC ethanol-training program.
Level A Awards
The Hazmat Committee honored three individuals with the Level A Award, which recognizes excellence and performance in the operational environment. These three were nominated by their peers for their extraordinary service to the hazmat response community and their demonstration of significant contribution to the goals and mission of the emergency response community. The 2009 award recipients are:
Larry Mabe, Chief, Harford County Hazmat, Harford County (Md.) Emergency Department - Larry was recognized as a pioneer in developing Hazmat response in a unique setting. Harford County grew from a small group of dedicated responders, and through the leadership and mentoring shown by Larry it became a model for other teams. Larry lead the Harford team in establishing a staffing model that suited the urban/rural setting. Through training and education, Larry has brought new members to the team and the fire service. He is a quiet and unassuming man whose leadership skills made him a perfect candidate for this award.
Chris Hawley, deputy senior project manager, CSC - Recognized for tireless dedication to the planning of the IAFC Hazardous Materials Response Team Conference, his many years of dedicated service with the Baltimore County (Md.) Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team and his leadership in the provision of hazmat response training internationally. Chris is also an accomplished author of numerous magazine articles and five textbooks on hazmat response and WMD.
Bob Royall, assistant chief, Emergency Operations, Harris County (Tex.) Fire Marshal's Office - In recognition of Chief Royall's many contributions to the hazmat profession during his many years of service with Houston Fire Department Hazmat Response Team, his dedicated work on NFPA 472 committee, commitment to educational excellence in his role as principal planner for the HotZone Hazmat Conference and advancing the hazmat response capability of the Harris County emergency response system. This award also recognizes Chief Royall for his significant role in overseeing the response and recovery operations in Harris County following Hurricane Ike in 2008.
John Eversole Lifetime Achievement Award
The John Eversole Lifetime Achievement Award was established to recognize a living individual who has demonstrated significant contributions over an exceptionally distinguished career in the field of hazmat emergency response and professional development. Award recipients should are held in exceptionally high esteem by their colleagues and be recognized for their efforts and example in developing and upholding professional standards, contributing to the profession's body of knowledge, mentoring other professionals, and contributing to the day-to-day excellence in their chosen field within hazardous materials emergency response.
This year, the award was presented to Charlie Wright, manager of hazmat training for the Union Pacific Railroad. Wright is an original member of the NFPA 472 Technical Committee and has been responsible for the development of a number of training programs that have been adopted by fire service and emergency-response agencies throughout North America. Through his efforts and the support of the Union pacific Railroad, Wright has trained thousands of firefighters and railroad workers over his 30 years in the hazmat-training field.