Barbour County Commission Opens Nominations For Emergency And Crisis Management Award

The Barbour County Commission is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the Emergency and Crisis Management Exemplary Community Award. This annual award honors organizations that have made exceptional contributions to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery in Barbour County. The deadline to submit nominations is November 15.

The award was inspired by the outstanding emergency planning efforts of Arch Resources/Leer South, whose commitment to regular preparedness exercises and strong community collaboration has set a high standard for safety in the region. This recognition aims to highlight similar efforts within the community that enhance the county’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

Criteria for the Award

Eligible organizations must have an emergency plan that addresses:

Emergency Management: A full framework for managing risks, preparing for disasters, responding effectively, and recovering after an event.

Prevention and Mitigation: Efforts to reduce disaster risks, protect lives and property, and prevent economic damage.

Preparedness: Plans and activities to get ready for disasters, such as training, public awareness programs, and emergency exercises.

Response: Taking action during and immediately after a disaster to help the community, like providing emergency medical help, search and rescue, and evacuations.

Recovery: Helping the community recover after a disaster, including rebuilding efforts, trauma counseling, and financial support.

Examples of Potential Nominees

Several types of organizations could qualify for this award:

Local Fire Department: A department with a solid emergency response plan, conducting regular safety drills and educating the public on fire safety.

Community Hospital: A hospital that has prepared its staff for large-scale emergencies and offers health education and support to the community during crises.

Public School District: A district that practices emergency drills and works with local responders to keep students safe during events like severe storms.

Nonprofit Organization: A group that helps vulnerable community members during disasters, providing supplies, evacuation assistance, and recovery support.

Private Manufacturing Facility: A company with a detailed safety plan to handle accidents like chemical spills and that works closely with local authorities to prevent and manage industrial emergencies.

How to Nominate

The nomination period is open until November 15, and organizations can be nominated by submitting a form available on the Barbour County Commission’s website: https://barbourcountywv.org/news/ A review panel, made up of representatives from the County Commission, Office of Emergency Management, Barbour County Development Authority, Barbour County Sheriff’s Department, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee, will select the winner. The award will be presented at the December Barbour County Commission Meeting.

The Commission encourages community members to nominate deserving organizations that have gone above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of Barbour County residents. These people and organizations often do not get the recognition that they deserve and we are committed to bringing those efforts to light and prominently displaying our gratitude for all they do for the betterment of this great county and its citizens. For more information, visit the county’s website or contact the Barbour County Office of Emergency Management at 304-457-0020.