Association Awards

About Our Annual Awards
Community Partnership Award: Awarded to a community group, NFP, business, etc. that demonstrates a dedication to partnering with emergency management in Illinois (local or state level) to better prepare for, respond to, recover from, or mitigate disaster. Make a nomination here.

Emergency Management Agency of the Year: Criteria include innovation in preparedness, exceptional response to a disaster, etc. Make a nomination here.

Emergency Management Student of the Year: Awarded to a student enrolled in an emergency management (or public safety-related degree) program at an accredited institution of higher learning in the State of Illinois who has made significant contributions to the field of emergency management in Illinois or to IESMA. Make a nomination here.

Five Phases Award: Awarded to an IESMA member who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership or innovation in one or more of the five phases of emergency management. Make a nomination here.

O.D. Troutman Outstanding Service to Emergency Management Award: Demonstrated exceptional service to their agency. Exhibited a high degree of professionalism. Promoted the emergency management principals within their agency. Make a nomination here.

Louise Tilford Pierce Outstanding Service to the Executive Board Award: Awarded to an individual who provided exceptional service to the IESMA Executive Board, promoted the field of Emergency Management and demonstrated a high degree of professional standards in their service to the IESMA Executive Board. Make a nomination here.

Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded to an individual who has provided a lifetime of service to the profession of Emergency Management in the State of Illinois or to the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association. Make a nomination here.

2023
Louise Tilford Pierce Award - Chana Ray, Douglas County EMA
O.D. Troutman Award - Mick Fleming, Northwest Central Joint Emergency Management System
O.D. Troutman Award - Patrick Carr,  Village of Tinley Park EMA
Presidential Service Award - Ryan Buckingham, Franklin County EMA
Presidential Service Award - Pam Jacobs, Effingham County EMA
Community Partnership Award - Village of Freeburg
Community Partnership Award - Citizens Corps Council of Lake County (CCCLC)
5 Phases Award - Chuck Genesio, Perry County Emergency Management Agency
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Don Brooks, Marion County ESDA

2022
Louise Tilford Pierce Award - Lee Shannon, Bureau County EMA
Community Leadership Award - Kevin Hart
O.D. Troutman Award - Eric Ceci, Iroquois County EMA
O.D. Troutman Award - Mat Schnepple, Henry County EMA
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Harold Damron, Will County EMA

2021
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Phil Anelo, IEMA
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - William Clark, Schaumburg EMA
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Gregory J Griffin


2020
Emergency Management Agency of the Year - Madison County EMA
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Joseph Victor, Douglas County EMA
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Robert "Bucky" Washam, Logan County EMA

2019
Louise Tilford Pierce Award - Mick Fleming, Northwest Central Joint Emergency Management System
O.D. Troutman Award - Kent McCanless, Woodford County EMA
Volunteer of the Year Award - Michael Johnson, Iroquois County EMA
Emergency Management Agency of the Year - Christian County EMA
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - James Pitchford, Macoupin County EMA

2018
Louise Tilford Pierce Award - Jared Rowecliff, Shelby County EMA
O.D. Troutman Award - Eugene Kramer, Freeburg ESDA
Volunteer of the Year Award - Bryan Collett, Tazewell County EMA
Volunteer of the Year Award - Tony Tracy, Henry County Office of Emergency Management
Presidential Service Award - IEMA Strategic Planning Cell
Presidential Service Award - Robert Dunne, Cook County Emergency Management and Regional Security
Presidential Service Award - Benny Benedict, Salvation Army Heartland Division
Presidential Service Award - David Adler, DuPage County Office of Emergency Management
5 Phases Award - Mick Fleming, Northwest Central Joint Emergency Management System
Community Partnership Award - Chad Sperry, Western Illinois University
Emergency Management Agency of the Year - Grundy County 
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Lee Shannon, Antioch EMA
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Brenda Lutz, Will County EMA
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Larry Ringering, Madison County EMA
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Nancy Schilling, Randolph County EMA

2017
Louise Tilford Pierce Award - Erin Laske
O.D. Troutman Award - Keenan Campbell, Bureau County EMA
Volunteer of the Year Award - Mike Oltman, Woodford County EMA
Presidential Service Award - EM-COM
5 Phases Award - Tom Richter, Ogle County EMA
Emergency Management Agency of the Year - Hanover Township Emergency Services
Student of the Year Award - Molly Fearneyhough
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - David Christensen, McHenry County EMA
Lee Shannon Lifetime Achievement Award - Dan Fulscher, Logan County EMA

2016
Louise Tilford Pierce Award - Jared Rowecliff, Shelby County EMA
O.D. Troutman Award - Mike Crews, Christian County EMA
Volunteer of the Year Award - Ralph Kuchenbrod, Champaign County
Presidential Service Award - Curtis Hawk, McLean County EMA

2015
Louise Tilford Pierce Award - Joseph Victor, Douglas County EMA
O.D. Troutman Award - Kelly Huddleston, Williamson County EMA
Volunteer of the Year Award - 
Presidential Service Award - Kevin Sargent, City of Mt. Vernon EMA

2014
Louise Tilford Pierce Award - James W. Pitchford, Macoupin County EMA
O.D. Troutman Award - Martin G. Vilimek, Bridgeview-Justice EMA
Volunteer of the Year Award - Richard L. Atterberry, Champaign County EMA
Distinguished Service Award - Tom Smith (Retired), Palatine EMA
Lifetime Past-President Membership Award - Tom Smith (Retired), Palatine EMA
Lifetime Past-President Membership Award - Charles N. Genesio II (Retired) City of DuQuoin ESDA
Presidential Service Award - Ryan M. Buckingham, Franklin County EMA
FEMA Regional Administrator's Award of Excellence - Ryan M. Buckingham, Franklin County EMA