Photo: Assemblyman Goldfeder this week called on the community to nominate their own for FEMA preparedness honors. Photo Courtesy of Assemblyman Goldfeder’s Office.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach) this week called for nominations for the 2015 Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual and Community Preparedness Awards. The deadline for nominations is April 10.
The national program is designed to honor individuals, organizations and municipalities for making outstanding contributions towards improving community safety, encouraging preparedness and enhancing resiliency in the face of disasters. According to the program’s website, awards are given in nine different categories, including five that have designated applicant requirements: Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award: only open to registered Citizen Corps Councils; Community Preparedness Heroes: designated for an individual or individuals; Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team Initiatives: CERTs and CERT programs; Outstanding Citizen Corps Partner Program: open to Fire Corps, Neighborhood Watch, Medical Reserve Corps, Volunteers in Police Service, and CERT programs; Excellence in Volunteer Sustainability: for volunteer programs serving emergency preparedness and response.
The other four categories are open to any individual, program, organization or municipality dedicated to individual and community preparedness. Examples of eligible groups include government officials and organizations, faith-based, civic, or volunteer organizations, or private sector entities. Those wishing to submit nominations are required to complete a brief application and include a written explanation for their choice.
“During our darkest hours following [Superstorm] Sandy, it was our own community that came together and worked to recover from the devastation,” Goldfeder said. “The Community Preparedness Awards are a way to recognize our local heroes and I encourage everyone to consider nominating someone who helped make a difference.”
Goldfeder’s office will be accepting nominations through Friday, April 10. Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to contact Goldfeder via email at goldfederp@assembly.state.ny.us or call (718) 945-9550.
By Forum Staff
