The IAFC’s Hazardous Materials Committee announced its award recipients at the opening general session of the International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference in Baltimore. A record number of conference attendees watched as Assistant Chief Robert Royall of the Harris County (Tex.) Fire Marshal’s Office and chair of the Hazmat Committee, presented the three awards.
The Level A Award bestows the highest level of professional recognition and respect to individuals or organizations having made significant contributions to the hazmat emergency-response profession. The individuals chosen reflect exceptional levels of leadership, service and commitment to the hazmat response community while providing strong support to the IAFC’s Hazmat Committee, the Hazmat Response Teams Conference and the IAFC’s efforts in the hazmat arena. This award has been given each year since 2000.
This year’s recipients were Steven Patrick of the FBI Hazardous Materials Operations Unit and Executive Assistant Chief Daniel Snell of the Houston Fire Department. Mr. Patrick was previously a hazmat officer for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management; Chief Snell has been a leader in hazmat response and education throughout his career.
The John M. Eversole Lifetime Achievement Award, established in 2007, recognizes living individuals who have distinguished themselves throughout their careers by their leadership and outstanding contributions to enhancing the hazmat emergency-response profession.
This year’s recipient, Gregory Noll, chair of the NFPA Technical Committee on Hazardous Materials Response Personnel, joins a distinguished group of past honorees, including John Eversole, William Hand, Charles Wright and Gene Carlson.
The last award given was the Hazmat Committee Chairman’s Award. This award has been given since 2007recognize an individual or organization that has supported the goals of the Hazmat Committee; the recipient is selected by the chair of the IAFC’s Hazmat Committee. Recipients have made significant contributions in a behind-the-scenes capacity in supporting hazmat emergency operations while advancing the capabilities and professionalism of hazmat emergency response and responders.
Tim Butters, deputy administrator for U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, received this year’s award. Deputy Administrator Butters has a long history of service within the hazmat response community and was previously both a member and chair of the IAFC’s Hazmat Committee.
A complete listing of awards and recipients will be posted on the IAFC website in the near future.
Thomas J. Wells is staff liaison to the Hazmat Committee; Chris Hawley, an adjunct member of the committee, helped with this article.
About the International Association of Fire Chiefs
The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for its members to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders.