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Ohio Fire Service Citizen’s Award



Selection Criteria

This award is conferred annually to members of the public who, at great personal risk to themselves, are credited with directly saving or attempting to save a life or lives during an extreme fire or other emergency rescue situation. The award may be given to residents of any state for incidents occurring within the state of Ohio, and to residents of the State of Ohio for incidents occurring in any state.

The nominee must not have been a member of the same household of the victims, or in which the incident occurred. The nominee may not have been a member of the career of volunteer fire services in the state of Ohio at the time of the incident.


Nominations

The individual must be nominated by one of the following:


a. Any mayor, city manager, county commissioner, or township trustee.

b. Any member of the career or volunteer fire service.

c. Any retired member of the career or volunteer fire service.

d. Any fire association organization of the state of Ohio.

e. Any fraternal fire service organization of the state of Ohio.

f. Any president or chief executive of any fire service equipment of fire service related industry in the state of Ohio.


A nomination form is provided by the State Fire Council to serve as a cover and guideline for the submission of nominations. The nomination must include a narrative statement by the nominator, either on the form or attached to it, specifically explaining why the nominated individual is worthy of receiving the award. The nomination must also include adequate supporting documents to substantiate the life-saving efforts and conditions under which they occurred. These should include the official fire report, supplemental fire reports and narratives, news articles and information on any other awards or recognition for the incident. The total nomination submission may not exceed 20 8.5” x 11” pages or material (single sided) or 10 pages front and back.


All nominations should be typewritten.

Nominations received after the deadline will be returned to the nominator.


Consideration

The State Fire Council will serve as the selection committee for this award. The council will convene to consider all nominations submitted by the deadline.

In bestowing an award, the Council will carefully consider and evaluate the nomination and supporting documents. The Council members must rely solely on the nomination when making a decision. To this end, it is imperative that the nomination and supporting documents clearly and adequately describe the severity and intensity of the fire or other incident, the specific dangers which the nominee faced and overcame, and why the act was exceptional.

The State Fire Council shall determine the most appropriate manner in which the award is to be presented. The decision of the State Fire Council as to individuals deserving of the Ohio Fire Service Citizen’s Award is final.


Ohio Fire Service Valor Award



Selection Criteria

This award is conferred annually to members of the fire services in the state of Ohio, who at great personal risk to themselves, are credited with directly saving or attempting to save a life or lives during an extreme emergency situation, whether serving in his/her official capacity as a firefighter or not, above and beyond the normal line of duty.


To be eligible for the award, an individual must have been an active member of a career or volunteer fire service in the state of Ohio at the time of the heroic act.


Nominations

The individual must be nominated by one of the following:


a. Any mayor, city manager, county commissioner, or township trustee.

b. Any member of the career or volunteer fire service.

c. Any retired member of the career or volunteer fire service.

d. Any fire association organization of the state of Ohio.

e. Any fraternal fire service organization of the state of Ohio.

f. Any president or chief executive of any fire service equipment of fire service related industry in the state of Ohio.


A nomination form is provided by the State Fire Council to serve as a cover and guideline for the submission of nominations. The nomination must include a narrative statement by the nominator, either on the form or attached to it, specifically explaining why the nominated individual is worthy of receiving the award. The nomination must also include adequate supporting documents to substantiate the life-saving efforts and conditions under which they occurred. These should include the official fire report, supplemental fire reports and narratives, news articles and information on any other awards or recognition for the incident. The total nomination submission may not exceed 20 8.5” x 11” pages or material (single sided) or 10 pages front and back.


All nominations should be typewritten.

Nominations received after the deadline will be returned to the nominator.


Consideration

The State Fire Council will serve as the selection committee for this award. The council will convene to consider all nominations submitted by the deadline.

In bestowing an award, the Council will carefully consider and evaluate the nomination and supporting documents. Recognizing the hazardous nature of a firefighter’s work, and the risks taken by the men and women of the fire service daily in the performance of their duty; it shall be the goal of the council to select from among the nominees, individuals who clearly went above and beyond the call of duty in effecting or attempting the rescue of others from the perils of the incident. In most instances, the council members’ knowledge of the incident is only through nominating material. For this reason, it is imperative that the nomination and supporting documentation clearly and adequately describe the severity and intensity of the fire or other incident, the specific dangers which the nominee faced and overcame, and just why this act of valor was exceptional.

The State Fire Council shall determine the most appropriate manner in which the award is to be presented. The decision of the State Fire Council as to individuals deserving of the Ohio Fire Service Valor Award is final.


Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award



Selection Criteria

This award is conferred on outstanding individuals whose contributions to and leadership of the fire service within the state of Ohio have been a milestone in the development of those services; whose actions have served not just their community but have contributed significantly to the fire service on a regional, statewide and/or national basis; and, whose leadership and accomplishments in these areas are widely recognized and respected in the Ohio fire service.


The individual must be, or have been, a citizen of the state of Ohio.


Nominations

The individual must be nominated by one of the following:


a. Any mayor, city manager, county commissioner, or township trustee.

b. Any member of the career or volunteer fire service.

c. Any retired member of the career or volunteer fire service.

d. Any fire association organization of the state of Ohio.

e. Any fraternal fire service organization of the state of Ohio.

f. Any president or chief executive of any fire service equipment of fire service related industry in the state of Ohio.


A nomination form is provided by the State Fire Council to serve as a cover and guideline for the submission of nominations. The nomination must include a narrative statement by the nominator, either on the form or attached to it, specifically explaining why the nominated individual is worthy of receiving the award. The nomination must also include adequate supporting documents to substantiate the accomplishments and contributions of the individual. These may include news articles, information on awards and citations received during his/her career, previous letters of commendation, and letters from individuals or organizations other than the nominator supporting the nomination. The total nomination submission may not exceed 20 8.5” x 11” pages or material (single sided) or 10 pages front and back.


All nominations should be typewritten.

Nominations received after the deadline will be returned to the nominator.


Consideration

The State Fire Council will serve as the selection committee for this award. The council will convene to consider all nominations submitted by the deadline.

In bestowing an award, the Council will carefully consider and evaluate the nomination and supporting documents. It shall be the goal of the council to select individuals who are clearly outstanding in their contribution to Ohio’s fire service and most worthy of the award.

The State Fire Council shall determine the most appropriate manner in which the award is to be presented. The decision of the State Fire Council as to individuals most deserving of the Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award is final.


Ohio Fire Department of the Year Award



Purpose

This award honors an Ohio Fire Department that has demonstrated outstanding teaching characteristics and, because of these attributes, has made a major impact in fire education in its community and department


Criteria

a. A fire department based in Ohio;

b. Is active in local public education and/or local fire training;

c. Has demonstrated positive relationships with the community;

d. Takes meaningful and visible steps to assure the professionalism of its personnel;

e. Takes meaningful and visible steps toward a quality, in-service fire training program.


Eligibility

a. Any Ohio fire department that is recognized by the State Fire Marshal and the Division of EMS of the Ohio Department of Public Safety;

b. Is responsible for responding to emergencies or disasters and providing fire services to the community;

c. The service is in good standing with the state of Ohio.


Selection Process

All nominations will be reviewed by Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff to determine that the nominees are in good standing and that individuals are currently certified at the level for which they were nominated. Any nomination that does not meet these criteria will be considered invalid and will not be forwarded for consideration.

An Award Selection Panel consisting of Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS staff, members of the Firefighter and Fire Safety Inspector Training Subcommittee and others deemed appropriate will be created for each category. The selection panel will review and evaluate the nominations. To avoid personal bias, nomination forms will be redacted to remove any direct identifiers of the nominee before being sent to the members of the selection panel for its evaluation.

No award will be given if there are no nominations for an award. No award will be given if the selection panel’s evaluation finds that no nominee meets that award criteria.


Nomination Instructions

Anyone, including the nominee, may submit a nomination for any award. The primary reason for which a person or agency is being nominated must have occurred in the state of Ohio.

For all categories, the nomination must be based on the organization’s overall contributions, body of work, or sustained performance, not on single acts of heroism. Heroic acts may be part of the nomination but not the basis.

Fill out the information requested on the nomination form. Include written examples of why this organization should receive an award, focusing on the award criteria. Please be specific, using examples that are easy to understand and thorough in describing the nominee’s accomplishments as the panel which reviews the nominations will not be as familiar with your nominee as you are.

The total nomination submission may not exceed 20 8.5” x 11” pages or material (single sided) or 10 pages front and back. Nominations received after the deadline will be returned to the nominator.


Ohio Fire Service Instructor of the Year Award



Purpose

This award honors an Ohio Fire Service Instructor who has demonstrated outstanding teaching characteristics and because of these attributes has made major impact in fire education at their local fire department and fire charter.


Criteria

a. A fire service instructor active in providing fire education;

b. Is active in local public education and fire training with their fire department and/or Ohio fire training charter;

c. Has demonstrated positive relationships with the students and administration;

d. Has demonstrated professionalism in the performance of his/her duties;

e. Exemplifies outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the community through involvement with Ohio fire service.


Eligibility

a. An active, Ohio-certified fire service or fire safety inspector instructor;

b. A fire service instructor directly responsible for the training of firefighters and/or fire safety inspectors;

c. Is in good standing with his/her fire agency, fire training charter, and the state of Ohio;

d. Ohio fire service instructor certification is valid.


Selection Process

All nominations will be reviewed by Division of EMS staff to determine that the nominees are in good standing and that individuals are currently certified at the level for which they were nominated. Any nomination that does not meet these criteria will be considered invalid and will not be forwarded for consideration.

An Award Selection Panel consisting of Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS staff, members of the Firefighter and Fire Safety Inspector Training Committee and others deemed appropriate will be created for each category. The selection panel will review and evaluate the nominations. To avoid personal bias, nomination forms will be redacted to remove any direct identifiers of the nominee before being sent to the members of the selection panel for evaluation.

No award will be given if there are no nominations for an award. No award will be given if the selection panel’s evaluation finds that no nominee meets that award’s criteria.


Nomination Instructions

Anyone, including the nominee, may submit a nomination for any award. Individual nominees must be currently certified at the level for which they are being nominated. The primary reason for which a person or agency is being nominated must have occurred in the state of Ohio.

For all categories the nomination must be based on an individual’s or organization’s overall contributions, body of work, or sustained performance, not on single acts of heroism. Heroic acts may be part of the nomination, but not the basis.

Fill out the information requested on the nomination form. Include written examples of why this person should win, focusing on the award criteria. Please be specific, using examples that are easy to understand and thorough in describing the nominee’s accomplishments as the panel which reviews the nominations will not be as familiar with your nominee as you are.

The total nomination submission may not exceed 20 8.5” x 11” pages or material (single sided) or 10 pages front and back. Nominations received after the deadline will be returned to the nominator.


Ohio Fire Officer of the Year Award



Purpose

This award honors an Ohio Fire Officer who has demonstrated outstanding leadership characteristics and, because of these attributes, has made major impact on the fire service at the local and regional level.


Criteria

a. A fire officer active in providing leadership and education;

b. Is active in local fire training with his or her fire department and other Ohio fire training agencies;

c. Has demonstrated positive relationships with his or her subordinates;

d. Has demonstrated professionalism in the performance of his or her duties;

e. Exemplifies outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the community through involvement with Ohio fire service.


Eligibility

a. An active Ohio Fire Officer;

b. A fire service officer directly responsible for the training of firefighters and/or fire safety inspectors;

c. Is in good standing with his or her fire agency and the state of Ohio;

d. Ohio fire service certification is valid.


Selection Process

All nominations will be reviewed by Division of EMS staff to determine that the nominees are in good standing and that individuals are currently certified at the level for which they were nominated. Any nomination that does not meet these criteria will be considered invalid and will not be forwarded for consideration.

An Award Selection Panel consisting of Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS staff, members of the Firefighter and Fire Safety Inspector Training Committee and others deemed appropriate will be created for each category. The selection panel will review and evaluate the nominations. To avoid personal bias, nomination forms will be redacted to remove any direct identifiers of the nominee before being sent to the members of the selection panel for evaluation.

No award will be given if there are no nominations for an award. No award will be given if the selection panel’s evaluation finds that no nominee meets that award’s criteria.


Nomination Instructions

Anyone, including the nominee, can submit a nomination for any award. Individual nominees must be currently certified at the level for which they are being nominated. The primary reason for which a person or agency is being nominated must have occurred in the state of Ohio.

For all categories the nomination must be based on an individual’s or organization’s overall contributions, body of work, or sustained performance, not on single acts of heroism. Heroic acts may be part of the nomination, but not the basis.

Fill out the information requested on the nomination form. Include written examples of why this person organization should be awarded, focusing on the award criteria. Please be specific, using examples that are easy to understand and thorough in describing the nominee’s accomplishments as the panel which reviews the nominations will not be as familiar with the nominee as you are.

The total nomination submission may not exceed 20 8.5” x 11” pages or material (single sided) or 10 pages front and back. Nominations received after the deadline will be returned to the nominator.


Ohio Fire Prevention Educator of the Year Award



Purpose

This award honors an Ohio Fire Prevention Educator who has demonstrated innovative and outstanding teaching characteristics and, because of these attributes, has made a major impact on the field of fire prevention education in his or her community.


Criteria

a. A fire officer active in providing leadership and education;

b. Is active in local fire prevention with his or her fire department and other Ohio fire training agencies;

c. Has demonstrated positive relationships with the community;

d. Has demonstrated professionalism in the performance of his or her duties;

e. Exemplifies outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the community through involvement with Ohio’s fire service.


Eligibility

a. Active in fire prevention education;

b. Is directly responsible for fire prevention education for firefighters, fire safety inspector and/or the community;

c. Is in good standing with his/her fire agency and the state of Ohio;

d. Ohio fire service certification is valid.


Selection Process

All nominations will be reviewed by Division of EMS staff to determine that the nominees are in good standing and that individuals are currently certified at the level for which they were nominated. Any nomination that does not meet these criteria will be considered invalid and will not be forwarded for consideration.

An Award Selection Panel consisting of Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of EMS staff, members of the Firefighter and Fire Safety Inspector Training Committee and others as deemed appropriate will be created for each category. The selection panel will review and evaluate the nominations. To avoid personal bias, nomination forms will be redacted to remove any direct identifiers of the nominee before being sent to the members of the selection panel for evaluation.

No award will be given if there are no nominations for an award. No award will be given if the selection panel’s evaluation finds that no nominee meets that award’s criteria.


Nomination Instructions

Anyone, including the nominee, can submit a nomination for any award. Individual nominees must be currently certified at the level for which they are being nominated. The primary reason for which a person or agency is being nominated must have occurred in the state of Ohio.

For all categories, the nomination must be based on an individual’s overall contributions, body of work, or sustained performance, not on single acts of heroism. Heroic acts may be part of the nomination but not the basis.

Fill out the information requested on the nomination form. Include written examples of why this person should be awarded, focusing on the award criteria. Please be specific, using examples that are easy to understand and thorough in describing the nominee’s accomplishments as the panel which reviews the nominations will not be as familiar with the nominee as you are.

The total nomination submission may not exceed 20 8.5” x 11” pages or material (single sided) or 10 pages front and back. Nominations received after the deadline will be returned to the nominator.


Ohio Fire Educator Lifetime Achievement Award



Purpose

This award honors an Ohio Fire Educator who has demonstrated innovative and outstanding teaching characteristics and, because of these attributes, has made major contributions to the field of fire services at the local, regional, or national level.


Criteria

a. A fire educator who has made a significant contribution in fire education;

b. Has educated the Ohio fire service both locally and regionally;

c. Has demonstrated positive relationships with the Ohio fire service;

d. Has demonstrated professionalism in the performance of his or her duties;

e. Exemplifies outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the Ohio fire service.


Selection Process

All nominations will be reviewed by Division of EMS staff to determine that the nominees are in good standing and that individuals are currently certified at the level for which they were nominated. Any nomination that does not meet these criteria will be considered invalid and will not be forwarded for consideration.

An Award Selection Panel consisting of Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS staff, members of the Firefighter and Fire Safety Inspector Training Committee and others deemed appropriate will be created for each category. The selection panel will review and evaluate the nominations. To avoid personal bias, nomination forms will be redacted to remove any direct identifiers of the nominee before being sent to the members of the selection panel for evaluation.

No award will be given if there are no nominations for an award. No award will be given if the selection panel’s evaluation finds that no nominee meets that award’s criteria.


Nomination Instructions

Anyone, including the nominee, may submit a nomination for any award. Individual nominees must be currently certified at the level for which they are being nominated. The primary reason for which a person or agency is being nominated must have occurred in the state of Ohio.

For all categories, the nomination must be based on an individual’s overall contributions, body of work, or sustained performance, not on single acts of heroism. Heroic acts may be part of the nomination but not the basis.

Fill out the information requested on the nomination form. Include written examples of why this person should be awarded, focusing on the award criteria. Please be specific, using examples that are easy to understand and thorough in describing the nominee’s accomplishments as the panel which reviews the nominations will not be as familiar with the nominee as you are.

The total nomination submission may not exceed 20 8.5” x 11” pages or material (single sided) or 10 pages front and back. Nominations received after the deadline will be returned to the nominator.