Every year, these awards are presented to individuals who have made significant achievements in the field of emergency management and/or amazing contributions to the communities they serve. Given out at the annual conference banquet, these awards are an acknowledgement of the work we do, the care we give, and the support we provide as emergency managers.

Innovation, Collaboration and Service Award

This award is for an individual, team, or agency/organization who has/have made an outstanding contribution to the field of Emergency Management or Oregon communities, particularly those who have been under-represented and underserved. This contribution occurred through:

• Creation and/or promotion of a new service or program
• Collaboration with other individuals, teams, and/or agencies to increase interoperability and/or help communities improve resilience, overcome barriers, and/or access resources
• Extreme and continued dedication to supporting the community improve resilience

The nomination must highlight the special or exceptional quality of the project, training, program, or initiative and include the impacts and benefits that have already or will soon occur because of the work done.

2024 Winner: Brenna Cruz and Jon McDowell | Clackamas County -- Enhancement the Clackamas County Wildfire Evacuation Map.

OEMA President Award

An individual who shows exemplary commitment to the Oregon Emergency Management Association (OEMA) in time and energy.

The nomination must describe what the nominee has done to support the mission and goals of the Association, improve professional development within the membership, and/or foster the public / private partnerships of colleagues through collaborative efforts.

2024 Winner: Kristin Hardy | ReadyAmerica -- Consistent Work to Build the OEMA Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) Committee.

Tribal Emergency Management Professional of the Year

The Tribal Emergency Manager of the Year Award recognizes a tribal emergency management practitioner for outstanding contributions to the field of emergency management. This individual has exceeded job duties by doing a significant job on projects, events or incidents that positively impacted their community or the field of emergency management.

The nomination must describe the nominee’s accomplishments and their benefits/impact to show why the individual is award worthy and illustrate how the nominee has performed emergency management-related tasks in a superior capacity.

2024 Winner: Rachelle Escatel | Klamath Tribes

Public Sector Emergency Management Professional of the Year

The Emergency Manager of the Year Award recognizes a public sector emergency management practitioner for outstanding contributions to the field of emergency management. This individual has exceeded job duties by doing a significant job on projects, events or incidents that positively impacted their community or the field of emergency management.

The nomination must describe the nominee’s accomplishments and their benefits/impact to show why the individual is award worthy and illustrate how the nominee has performed emergency management-related tasks in a superior capacity.

2024 Winner: Nick Vora | Union County -- Tireless Support to other Jurisdiction During Wildfire Response Actions

Private Sector Emergency Management Professional of the Year

The Emergency Manager of the Year Award recognizes a private sector emergency management practitioner for outstanding contributions to the field of emergency management. This individual has exceeded typical job duties by doing a significant job on projects, events or incidents that positively impacted their organization or the field of emergency management.

The nomination must describe the nominee’s accomplishments and their benefits/impact to show why the individual is award worthy and illustrate how the nominee has performed emergency management-related tasks in a superior capacity.

2024 Winner: No Nominations

Emergency Management Volunteer of the Year

This award recognizes a volunteer that has been active in emergency management over the past year and has done a significant job on projects or events that made a difference to local, county or state programs and/or held a leadership position that improved the volunteer program.

2024 Winner: No Nominations