DHSEM Employee Awards

Congratulations to the following Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) award recipients.   The following DHSEM staff members were presented awards during today's Annual DHSEM Staff Retreat:

Director's Award

Plaque and Letter for a team or individual who through outstanding leadership, initiative, ingenuity and great effort exemplifies the Mission, Vision, and Values, of the Division, Department or Office during the course of a disaster response or recovery; or through working with stakeholders in the State, or local governments to include prevention, protection, mitigation, response, recovery, problem solving or planning improvements. Steve Boand, Office of Emergency Management

Official Commendation Award

Certificate Award for employees who, through leadership and determination, display exemplary conduct and demeanor, while performing assigned duties in an unusually effective and efficient manner while exemplifying the mission, goals and objectives of the Division, Department or Office.

• Lindsey Shaw, Office of Emergency Management
• Sean Settle, Office of Emergency Management
• Riley Frazee, Office of Emergency Management
• Hart Gillespie,  Office of Emergency Management
• Mark Peti, 
• Chi Robertsen, Office of Preparendess

Merit Award

Certificate Award for employees who distinguish themselves through exceptional meritorious service, personal initiative, tenacity and great effort or ingenuity, contributes to the preservation of life, health and safety of a community or individuals during times of disaster; or through recognition from stakeholders during the effort to further the Mission, Vision, and Values, of the Division, Department or Office.

• Kristina Bomba, Office of Prevention/ CIAC
• Dana Reynolds, Office of Emergency Management
• Fran Santagata, Office of Preparedness
• Cory Stark, Office of Emergency Management
• Justine Wilman, Office of Emergency Management
• Lynn Bailey, Office of Preparedness
• Jo Barrios, Office of Emergency Management

Chief Jerry Rhodes of Cunningham Fire District Named Fire Chief of the Year

At the Annual Meeting of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs, Chief Ira “Jerry” Rhodes of the Cunningham Fire Protection District (Arapahoe County) was presented with Colorado's Fire Chief of the Year Award.

This prestigious award is presented annually by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to recognize truly outstanding fire chiefs whose extraordinary contributions serve as an example and challenge for all other chief fire executives throughout Colorado.

This award is presented to a person who exemplified dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm for leading fire service personnel in the State of Colorado.

"Through his commitment and service, Chief Rhodes has made immeasurable impact not only on the Colorado fire service, but across the nation," Paul Cooke, Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control says.

Chief Mike Morgan, President of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs' added that "Chief Rhodes' leadership, innovation, integrity, and service to the public are an example for us all".

The Fire Chief of the Year award is made in the name of former Fire Chief George Mazzotti, an individual whose accomplishments in the field of fire service leadership are meant to serve as the standard by which nominees shall be measured. The recipient is selected through a peer nomination and committee review process. Following are but some of the comments that were made by his peers on the nomination forms:

• Chief Rhodes has worked tirelessly in his fire service career to promote diversity and equality, to uphold the fire service and those in it to a higher standard in all that we do.
• He gives back to both the fire service and the community daily and provides positive leadership and mentorship to those around him. 
• Chief Rhodes is a shining example of servant leadership.
• The public life and the fire service life of Chief Rhodes are intertwined in that his selfless acts are so often overlapped.

The Division of Fire Prevention and Control and the Colorado State Fire Chiefs' extend its gratitude to Chief Rhodes for all he does and has done to make Colorado a safer place for our fire service and those who live, work, and play in Colorado.





Media Release:  Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control