Nomination Statement: Please provide a comprehensive and detailed statement outlining why the nominee deserves this award. Your statement should vividly describe specific events, initiatives, innovations, or significant achievements the nominee has accomplished in emergency management. Highlight instances where their contributions have made a notable impact. Feel free to include any supporting information that underlines their qualifications and distinguishes them as an exceptional candidate for this honor.

 Support Professional

The Support Professional Award recognizes an individual or group whose essential support, partnership, or behind-the-scenes contributions significantly strengthen emergency management operations. Nominees may be affiliated with or external to the Nebraska Association of Emergency Management (NAEM).

Contributions should exceed routine responsibilities and demonstrate exceptional commitment, effectiveness, and service. Eligible nominees include individuals, groups, agencies, associations, private-sector partners, nonprofit organizations, and other entities.

Statewide Award

Recognizes one individual or group whose contributions have produced a measurable, transformative impact across multiple NAEM regions or statewide emergency management operations. The nomination should describe the scope of the contributions, the organizations or communities served, and the resulting improvements.

Regional Award

Recognizes one individual or group within each NAEM region whose essential support demonstrates exceptional commitment to local and regional preparedness. The nomination should describe how the nominee’s contributions have strengthened emergency management capabilities and benefited the region.

 New Emergency Management Professional of the Year

This award recognizes an emergency management professional who has served in the position for 24 months or less at the time of the annual conference and has demonstrated enthusiasm, initiative, and effectiveness through specific accomplishments or improvements to the local emergency management program.

Eligibility: The nominee must be a current NAEM member in good standing.

Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Professional Public Service: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to serving the public.
• Community Preparedness: Advances community readiness through planning, coordination, training, exercises, or other preparedness initiatives.
• Commitment to Public Safety: Demonstrates dedication to the safety and well-being of local residents.
• Service to NAEM or the Emergency Management Community: Makes meaningful contributions that strengthen the Association or the broader emergency management community.
• Leadership and Professionalism: Demonstrates sound judgment, effective coordination, and professionalism in emergency management activities, particularly during disaster response.

 Deputy Director or Administrator of the Year

This award recognizes an individual who works closely with an emergency management director or manager and demonstrates exceptional professionalism, leadership, and support in carrying out the organization’s mission.

Eligibility: The nominee must be a current NAEM member in good standing.

Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Professional Excellence: Upholds the ethical standards, accountability, and commitment expected of an emergency management professional.
• Community Preparedness: Supports activities that strengthen community readiness and emergency management capabilities.
• Commitment to Public Safety: Demonstrates sustained dedication to the safety and well-being of local residents.
• Outstanding Service: Makes significant contributions to NAEM or its members through exceptional service and support.
• Leadership and Professionalism: Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, and effective coordination, particularly during disasters and other demanding situations.

 Emergency Management Professional of the Year

This award recognizes an individual who exemplifies excellence in emergency management and professional public service. The nominee should demonstrate a sustained commitment to community preparedness and public safety, with leadership and performance that set a high standard for the profession.

Eligibility: The nominee must be a current NAEM member in good standing.

Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Professional Public Service: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a sustained commitment to serving the public.
• Community Preparedness: Strengthens community readiness through effective planning, partnerships, training, exercises, and preparedness initiatives.
• Commitment to Public Safety: Demonstrates dedication to protecting the safety and well-being of local residents.
• Distinguished Service: Makes exceptional contributions to NAEM or the emergency management community.
• Leadership and Professionalism in Disaster Response: Demonstrates outstanding leadership, sound judgment, and effective coordination during challenging incidents, while maintaining a high standard of professionalism.

 Lifetime Achievement

The nominee for this award should be an individual recognized for their longstanding and unwavering commitment as a member in good standing. They should exhibit a notable history with the organization, marked by longevity of membership and significant contributions. Additionally, their consistent engagement and positive impact within the organization are essential. The ideal candidate will also embody the values and ethics of the organization, serving as an exemplary representative. Peer recognition for their dedication and achievements is also critical in the selection process.

Longevity of Membership: To qualify for this lifetime achievement recognition, the nominee must have been a member in good standing of the Association for a minimum of 15 Years.
Significant Contributions: The nominee should have a history of important contributions to Emergency Management and the Association. This includes but is not limited to, leadership roles, impactful project involvement, key initiatives, or other notable activities that have advanced Emergency Management and the Association’s mission.
Consistent Engagement: The nominee should have consistently engaged in Emergency Management and the Association’s activities, events, and governance over the years.
Positive Impact: The nominee’s work and involvement should have had a lasting and positive impact on Emergency Management, the Association, and its members, contributing to its growth, reputation, or effectiveness.
Exemplary Representation: The individual should embody the values and ethics of Emergency Management and the Association, serving as a role model for current and future members.
Peer Recognition: Ideally, the nominee should be widely recognized and respected by their Emergency Management and Association peers for their contributions and dedication.
Membership and Standing: The individual must be a current member in good standing with the Association.

 

Note: Lifetime Achievement Award nominations must include signatures from at least five (5) Emergency Managers and at least five (5) letters of support.

 NAEM Awards Nomination Form.