ALCOAST 248/24 - JUN 2024 2023 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARDS

R 141405Z JUN 24   MID120001208239U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 248/24
SSIC 16000
SUBJ: 2023 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARDS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 071640Z FEB 24/ALCOAST 064/24
1. I am pleased to announce the recipients of 2023 Emergency
Management Awards. The Emergency Management Awards recognize
operational units and individual members who exemplify the
highest standards of professionalism and initiative in the field
of emergency management. Thank you to all who dedicated time to
highlight both unit and individual achievements. In considering
an impressive slate of unit and individual nominees, a panel
convened and reviewed nominations based on the following
criteria:
    a. Excellence in the area of emergency management, planning,
and preparedness;
    b. Innovation in the field of emergency management that
demonstrates leadership and initiative;
    c. Engagement with interagency and community stakeholders;
    d. Exercise completion and Incident Management Team (IMT)
readiness for units; and
    e. Furthering the goals and objectives of the Coast Guard
emergency management program.
2. Congratulations to the 2023 Emergency Management Unit of the
Year: Sector Honolulu. Ensuring the Hawaiian Islands are prepared
for all-hazards, Sector highlights include their responses to
several major events, most notably, Typhoon Mawar and the Western
Maui Wildfire. The Sector enhanced readiness by meeting 100% of
all CG-OEM Contingency Preparedness System (CPS) exercise
requirements on time, and went above and beyond by also
participating in seven additional industry, local, and state-led
exercises, including two full-scale search and rescue exercises.
The Emergency Management and Force Readiness (EMFR) staff diligently
trained members to raise the unit's IMT readiness from 46% to 77%
overall. Lastly, Sector Honolulu leveraged technology and hosted
meetings and exercises in a hybrid environment to maximize
stakeholder participation, increasing attendance at the Area
Committee (AC), Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC), and
Regional Coordinating Mechanism (ReCoM) meetings by 150%, and
bridged the AOR's geographical challenges.
3. Congratulations to the 2023 Emergency Manager of the Year:
Mr. Ken Jones, Sector Charleston Emergency Management Specialist.
Mr. Jones is a Type 1/2 Board member, and a qualified ICS IC, PSC,
OSC, LSC, SITL, RESL, SOFR, and LOFR. He personally led ICS training
and qualified 75 Coast Guardsmen and over 100 service industry
members. He developed the first ever CG recognized and approved
Salvage Marine Firefighting Sub-Committee Charter for an Area
Committee and Area Maritime Security Committee. Finally, he
facilitated the planning and execution of a mass rescue operation
full-scale exercise in the Charleston area. This arduous event
combined efforts from more than 650 local, state, federal, and
industry participants spanned over 15 independent exercise
locations.
4. All units and members should be proud of their continued efforts
to support the emergency management and disaster response mission.
Although only one recipient for each category could be selected, it
is my honor to name the following honorable mentions.
    a. Individual:
        (1) LT Alexandria Vasilarakis
    b. Units:
        (1) Sector Guam
        (2) Sector Ohio Valley
5. In addition to the extraordinary achievements noted by the
2023 Annual Emergency Management Awards recipients, I applaud
the continued efforts of all emergency managers throughout the
Coast Guard each day. Stay safe in the field and we look forward
to reviewing next year's submissions. Semper Paratus!
6. POC: LCDR Kaitlin Insley, COMDT (CG-OEM) at
Kaitlin.G.insley@uscg.mil or (202) 372-2157.
7. Ms. Dana S. Tulis, Director, Emergency Management
(CG-5RI), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.