By EMS1 Staff
If you watch local news coverage of a critical incident from anywhere in the country, you’ll easily find interviews with those who were first on the scene brushing off the hero descriptor with the standard public safety response: “I was just doing my job.”
However, there are certain calls that require an above-and-beyond response. There’s also essential work that supports the long-term fire department mission and community safety – and that work should be recognized.
Highlighting the incredible contributions of those in your organization puts the focus on the work performed and the lives saved. It’s a value statement and highlights the impact of the members on the organization, as well as the organization’s impact on the community.
Recognizing the actions of first responders honors their service, and acts as inspiration for those just starting their journey. As such, we’ve compiled a list of national fire awards and recognition programs to consider when looking to elevate the life-saving work of your members.
American Ambulance Association
- J. Walter Schaefer Award: This award is given to an individual whose work in EMS has contributed positively to the advancement of the industry as a whole.
- Robert L. Forbuss Lifetime Achievement Award: This award recognizes a volunteer leader who has made a lifetime body of work that has enhanced the programs and services of the AAA and its members.
- Vanguard Award: This award honors those who blazed the trail for fellow women EMS professionals.
American College of Emergency Physicians
- John G. Wiegenstein Leadership Award: This award is presented to a current or past national ACEP leader – member of the Board of Directors or officer of the Council – for outstanding contributions to the College.
- The James D. Mills Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Medicine Award: This award is presented to a regular member for significant contributions to emergency medicine.
- The John A. Rupke Legacy Award: This award is presented to a current College member for outstanding lifetime contributions to the College.
- The Pamela P. Bensen Trailblazer Award: This award is presented to a current College member for seminal contributions over time to the growth of the College and to the specialty of emergency medicine.
- The Honorary Membership Award: This award is presented to an individual who has rendered outstanding service to the College or to the specialty of emergency medicine.
- The Judith E. Tintinalli Award for Outstanding Contribution in Education: This award is presented to an ACEP member who has made a significant contribution to the educational aspects of the specialty.
- The Award for Outstanding Contribution in Research: This award is presented to an ACEP member who has made a significant contribution to research in emergency medicine.
- The Award for Outstanding Contribution in EMS: This award is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in EMS of national significance or application.
- The Colin C. Rorrie, Jr, PhD Award for Excellence in Health Policy: This award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to achieving the health policy objectives of the College and/or who has demonstrated outstanding skills, talent and commitment as an administrative or political leader.
- The Policy Pioneer Award: This award recognizes early and mid-career ACEP members who have made outstanding contributions to the College’s health policy and advocacy initiatives.
- The Council Meritorious Service Award: This award is presented to a member of the College who has served as a councilor or alternate councilor and has made consistent contributions to the growth and maturation of the ACEP Council.
Congressional Fire Services Institute
- CFSI/Masimo Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award Program: This award recognizes volunteer, career and combination fire departments for excellence in the delivery of emergency medical services.
- Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award: This award recognizes exemplary leaders in public safety for their work to improve the delivery of the fire and emergency services in the areas of prevention, mitigation and response.
International Association of Fire Chiefs
- James O. Page Award: This award recognizes an individual who has played a key role in creating and/or promoting non-clinical innovation and achievements in fire-service EMS management and leadership that has had a positive impact nationally.
- President’s Awards of Recognition: This award honors individuals from the fire and emergency service community who have contributed in a significant way during the president’s term
- Heart Safe Community Awards: The annual Heart Safe Community Awards are presented by the IAFC EMS Section at Fire-Rescue Med to one fire department serving a large community (population of over 100,000) and one fire department serving a small/mid-sized community (population under 100,000).
National Association of EMS Physicians
- Ronald D. Stewart Award: This award is presented to person who has made a lasting, major contribution to the national EMS community.
- Keith Neely Outstanding Contribution to NAEMSP Award: This award is presented to an active or past member of NAEMSP who has provided significant leadership to the association and is named after the late Keith Neely, the first non-physician member to serve on the NAEMSP Board of Directors.
- Friends of EMS Award: The Friends of EMS award is presented to an individual or organization that has been an advocate in furthering NAEMSP’s mission through influencing or implementing national public policy.
- Nancy Caroline Award for Mentorship and Education: Awarded to an NAEMSP member who, through their actions, has demonstrated a relentless commitment to advancing educational excellence and mentorship of others within the specialty of EMS.
- EMS Physician Meritorious Service Award: This award shall be conferred for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements as an EMS physician.
Learn more about NAEMSP awards.
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
- Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award: This award recognizes an outstanding professional working in the field of EMS.
- Demers-Braun-Crestline-Medix EMT of the Year: This award recognizes an emergency medical technician who demonstrates excellence in the performance of emergency medical services, with their primary role being that of prehospital patient care.
- Velico Paramedic of the Year: This award recognizes a Paramedic who demonstrates excellence in the performance of emergency medical services, with their primary role being that of prehospital patient care.
- Jones & Bartlet Learning Public Safety Group EMS Educator of the Year: This award recognizes an EMS educator who demonstrates excellence in providing EMS education to students.
- Bound Tree-Sarnova EMS Medical Director of the Year: This award recognizes an EMS Medical Director who demonstrates clinical excellence in the performance of EMS medical direction and oversight, and serves as a role model for all EMS agency personnel.
- North American Rescue Military Medic of the Year: This award recognizes a military medic who demonstrates excellence in the performance of military emergency medicine, with their primary role being that of out-of-hospital patient care on or off the battlefield.
- NAEMT-AAP/Handtevy Pediatric Emergency Standards, Inc., Pediatric EMS Award: This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated excellence in providing pediatric EMS care and/or education.
- Dick Ferneau Career EMS Service of the Year: This award recognizes outstanding performance by a paid EMS service.
- Digitech Volunteer EMS Service of the Year: This award recognizes outstanding performance by a volunteer EMS service.
- NAEMT-ACEP/Technimount EMS Safety in EMS Award: This award recognizes an EMS agency that has significantly contributed to advancing EMS practitioner and/or patient safety.
- Dynarex EMS Caring Award: This award recognizes either an EMS professional or EMS agency that has demonstrated exceptional caring through community service actions and/or programs designed to improve the health and safety of the community they serve.
- FirstNet, Built with AT&T, Wellness and Resilience Award: This award recognizes an EMS agency that tangibly demonstrates the attributes of a culture of wellness and resilience.
Learn more about NAEMT awards.
National Collegiate EMS Foundation
NCEMSF recognizes outstanding efforts made by individuals and organizations through various awards program. Instituted in 1997, the program currently has eight awards:
- Richard W. Vomacka Student Speaker Competition
- Collegiate EMS Week Celebration of the Year
- Collegiate EMS Video of the Year
- Collegiate EMS Community Engagement Program of the Year
- Collegiate EMS Advisor of the Year
- Collegiate EMS Provider of the Year
- Collegiate EMS Organization of the Year
- George J. Koenig, Jr. DO Service Award
Learn more about NCEMSF awards.
National fallen firefighters foundation
- Seal of Excellence Award: This award is presented to an individual or group, or fire, rescue, EMS department that demonstrates the commitment to the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives, commitment to firefighter health and safety and for their contribution to reducing the number of firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries.
Learn more about NFFF awards.
National Volunteer Fire Council
- Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award: This award honors a volunteer firefighter, EMS provider, or rescue worker who has served as a leader in creating or promoting emergency responder health and wellness programs or initiatives in areas including, but not limited to, firefighter cancer, heart health, behavioral health, and overall health and wellness.
Learn more about NVFC awards.
National Wildfire Coordinating Group
- Outstanding Wildland Fire EMS Individual of the Year Award: This award honors an EMR/EMT/AEMT or paramedic who has demonstrated independent initiative in the areas of quality assurance, patient care, public access, medical control, disaster preparedness, or public education and/or training, and has demonstrated support, involvement and dedication to the wildland fire EMS community.
- Outstanding Wildland Fire EMS Squad/Crew/Team of the Year Award: This award honors a wildland fire squad, crew, or team which has demonstrated independent initiative in the areas of quality assurance, patient care, public access, medical control, disaster preparedness, and public education and/or training, and has demonstrated support, involvement, and dedication to the wildland fire EMS community.
- Outstanding Wildland Fire EMS Distinguished Service Award: This award recognizes an organization, agency, corporation, institution, or individual who has provided unparalleled service in wildland fire EMS, and in so doing, has greatly enhanced the visibility and awareness of wildland fire EMS.
- Award of Excellence in Wildland Fire EMS/Rescue: This award recognizes an individual(s) who has displayed an act of selflessness and heroism above and beyond the call of duty during a wildland fire emergency medical, rescue incident, or unexpected event. Eligible recipients include members from an NWCG member agency or from an agency/organization called to assist an NWCG member agency.
- The Janette Peterson Lifetime Achievement in Wildland Fire EMS Award: This award may be presented to an individual who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the advancement of and leadership in wildland fire EMS.