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Minnesota State Fire Chief’s Association – Policy # 802

Title: Awards Policy

Date of Adoption: October 2010                  Date of Revision: 5-1-2012

 

Scope: The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in the recognition of Association members and other partners, colleagues and friends of the Association.  Awards shall recognize outstanding contributions and achievements by an individual, group of individuals or an organization in the pursuit of, or for a major realization of, the objectives of Association.

 

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Nominations:

Committee Chairs, Board Members the Executive Director or the general membership are eligible to nominate persons or organizations they believe are deserving of the awards.  The Executive committee shall approve or disapprove the nominations. 

 

Awards Selection Committee:

The award selection committee is a sub-committee of the Marketing/Membership Services Committee.  The committee will be made up of six members of the MSFCA selected by the committee and appointed by the Executive Committee.

 

The Award Selection committee is made up of:

• The Chair of the Public Education Committee
• The Editor of the MSFCA Fire Chiefs Magazine
• One Member of the MSFCA Board of Directors
• Three members of the MSFCA appointed by the Executive Committee. 

The awards will be designed and purchased by the Marketing Committee.

 

Award Levels:

Gold Award:

• Possible gifts include: plaque, axe, helmet, or other special gift (estimated value $300)
• Possible recipients include:
• President (served 2 years as President, 2 years as Vice-President)
• Board Member (10 or more years)
• Committee Chair (10 or more years)
• Legislator who is instrumental in passing significant legislation

Silver Award:

• Possible gifts include: plaque, certificate, or gift (estimated value $100)
• Possible recipients include:
• Vice-President (2 years, did not move on to President)
• Board Member (4 or more years)
• Committee Chair (4 or more years)
• Longevity Members (25 or more years)
• Friends of MSFCA

Bronze Award

• Possible gifts: certificate, service pin, or similar (estimated value $25)
• Possible recipients include:
• Longevity Members (10 or more years, less than 25 years)
• Committee Member (4 or more years)
• MSFCA representative to various boards, commissions, committees
• Board Member (1 – 3 years)
• Committee Chair (1 – 3 years)

 

Specific MSFCA Awards:

Fire Officer of the Year – Population under 10,000

Fire Officer of the Year – Population over 10,000

Public Fire Education Awards

Magazine Awards

Legislative Awards

Fire Service Leadership Award

Legislative Awards

Friend of the MSFCA

MSFCA Membership Awards

 

Award Descriptions:

Fire Officer of the Year Awards

Two Awards will be given.  One to an officer of a city of a population of less than 10,000 and one to an officer of a city with a population of over 10,000  The nomination criteria and process are attached to this policy.  Nomination forms  are available on the MSFCA web-site under the Awards tab

 

The recipients of the Fire Officer Awards  will receive a Gold Level Award and a $1,200.00 grant/stipend to attend a continueing professional education/development event.  The project must be approved by the MSFCA Awards Committee.  Qualifying events would be those similar to Fire Rescue International, FDIC,  Executive Edge, National Fire Academy, or other similar conferences of opportunities.

 

The application proccess is attached to this policy.

 

MSFCA Public Education Awards

There are three awards given in this category as listed below.  All award recipients will receive a Gold Level Award.  The firefighter/department recipient will also receive a $1,200.00 grant for an approved fire department fire prevention project.  The project must be approved by the MSFCA Awards Committee.   The nomination form and process are located on the MFSCA website under the Awards tab.

 

The three awards under this category are:

Firefighter / Department Recognition

Community Partner Recognition

Civilian

 

Once award recipients in this category are selected the Public Education Committee Chair is responsible for completing the following steps:

1. Contact the person making the nomination on status of nomination.  It is up to them to make sure the nominee is at the dinner.
2. Send a letter to recipients Chief if the Chief did not nominate the person
3. Get award recipient names to Marketing/Membership Services Committee Chair or other MSFCA member ordering the awards
4. Contact MSFCA Executive Director or other MSFCA conference committee members coordinating banquet efforts to inform him of number of recipients who will be attending the banquet
5. If recipient is unable to attend the banquet, the Chief or a proxy may receive the award.
6. The awards are to be presented by Pub Ed Chair or designee
7. If recipient is outside the fire service, send a letter inviting them to the banquet for recognition.  Award recipients do not pay for the banquet.

 

Magazine Awards

The Minnesota Fire Chief Magazine is a very important part of our organization.  The articles submitted are mostly Minnesota based and contribute to the success of all of our fire departments.  We appreciate the support of our firefighters, reporters, and advertisers that contribute to the success of the magazine.  The Minnesota Fire Chief’s Magazine has two award categories:

 

• Tony Richardson Photo Award

The Tony Richardson Photo Award is for the photo of the year that was used on the cover of the MN Fire Chief magazine.  It goes to the photographer who captured an event that is indicative of our progressive fire service.

 

(Tony Richardson was the Editor of the MN Fire Chief magazine for a period of time in the 1970’s and the 1980’s.  Tony provided valuable leadership, advice and editorial opinions to MSFCA members.  Tony was the Director of the Fire Center at the University of MN before it became a part of MNSCU.)

 

• Frank Oberg Story Award

The Frank Oberg Story Award is for the story of the year in a Minnesota news publication and goes to a local who did a unique and/or favorable story concerning the Minnesota Fire Service.

 

(Frank Oberg was the Editor of the MN Fire Chief magazine for a period of time in the 1970’s and the 1980’s.  Frank provided valuable leadership, advice and editorial opinions to MSFCA members.  Frank was a Chief Officer in more than one fire department including St. Paul.)

 

Both awards may be given out annually, however neither must be given out if there is no outstanding article or photo – as judged by the Committee.

 

The winners of all awards will receive a Gold Level Award.  Nominees will be selected by the Editor of the MSFCA Fire Chiefs magazine.  The entries should be submitted by August 15 of each year to the Award Selection Committee.  The winners will be selected by the selection committee.

 

Leadership Award(s)

Leadership awards are presented at the wish of the President of The MSFCA.  This prestigious award is awarded to a person who has gone the extra mile to support the fire service.  They do not have to be a member of the fire service.  These are individuals or groups that have made major contributions to the success of the fire service and fire service projects.  There many support groups that have contributed to the success of the MSFCA and the promotion of the Fire Service.  These people and group should be recognized for their service.  

The MSFCA President shall submit their request(s) to the committee by August 15 of each year.  The appropriate award will be designed by the Marketing Committee.  Recipients of this award will be at the Gold Award Level. The Marketing Committee will arrange for the recipient(s) to be at the conference.

 

Legislative Award

The projects of the Minnesota Fire Service need the support of our legislators.  Financial projects, pension programs, fire codes, training programs, regional projects, and many other issues for and about the fire service are Government driven.  Without the support of our local legislators and State officials we would not be able to function with the support we enjoy for our projects.  Over the years our legislators have taken on the battles of public safety and provided us with the tools we need to most efficiently serve the citizens of Minnesota. 

 

The Legislative Committee shall submit nominations for a legislative award to the Award Selection Committee by August 15^th each year.  This award is not required to be given out annually.  Recipients of this award shall be at the Gold Award Level.

 

The Chair of the Legislative Committee shall be responsible for coordinating the recipient’s availability at the annual conference awards banquet.

 

Friend of the MSFCA Award

On occasion, individuals or groups step forward and provide some level of service to our organization that helps promote our mission, vision, and values.  The Friend of the MSFCA Award is a formal way to recognize those individuals and groups.

 

Nominations for this award can be made by any member of the Executive Board and should be submitted on the standard nomination form attached to this policy.  Nominations are due by August 15^th each year to the Awards Selection Committee.  The Awards Selection Committee shall determine the recipients of this award and the appropriate award.  Recipients of this award shall be presented an award at the Silver Award Level.

 

MSFCA Membership Awards

All members of the MFSCA are eligible for awards based on the years of membership and levels of service to the organization.  Award recipients shall be identified by the Executive Director in conjunction with the Marketing/Member Services Committee Chair(s).

 

Years of Service pins shall be given for every five years of membership in the MFSCA.

 

Past Presidents Award (Full 4 years of service) – Gold Award

Board Member (10 or more years) – Gold Award

Committee Chair (10 or more years) – Gold Award

Vice President (two years and did not become President) – Silver Award

Board Member (4 or more years) – Silver Award

Committee Chair (4 or more years) – Silver Award

25 Year Membership Award – Silver Award

MFSCA Rep to various boards, commissions or committees – Bronze Award

Board Member (1-3 years of service) – Bronze Award

Committee Chair (1-3 years of service) – Bronze Award

 

The above awards, with the exception of the 25 year Membership Award, shall be given out at the annual conference following the year when an individual completes their service and is no longer in one of the above positions.  For example a Board Member who has completed four years on the Board but continues to serve on the Board would not receive an award until he or she is no longer on the Board of Directors.

 

The Award Selection Committee shall annually determine the recipients of the MSFCA Membership Awards and select the appropriate award to be given each year.

 

Recognition:

Awards may be presented at the Annual Conference Awards banquet (preferred) or at the discretion of the President of the Association.

 

Minnesota Fire Officer of the Year Nomination Information and Process

Up to two awards can be presented each year; one for a fire officer serving a small city or township (10,000 population or less), and one additional award open to officers representing large cities.

 

Individuals who are eligible for nomination and selection as Fire Officer of the Year are limited to active officers of departments. Qualified individuals include; Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Training Officer, Fire Marshal, etc.

 

Selection criteria will emphasize leadership, pride in their organization and its people, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public and community and contributions to the fire service as a whole. We know that many of our officers are worthy of these awards

 

All of a nominee's fire service activities and accomplishments will be considered, but, because this is the Fire Officer of the Year award, special emphasis will be placed on the last three year period. A nominee's command role at a major emergency incident, while relevant, will not be enough to place that individual into contention for the award.

 

Nomination Process

Nominations may be only submitted through MSFCA Executive Director. The nominator is responsible for notifying their candidate and ensure that he/she is willing to participate in our final selection process and make sure they attend the awards banquet. 

 

Nomination Format

1. Official nomination form is located on the MSFCA web-site.  See “Awards”.

2. Current resume detailing the candidate's involvement in the fire service.

3. Up to six other documents supporting the candidate's nomination, such as award citations, newspaper articles, or letters of recommendation from appropriate elected or appointed officials.

 

No campaigning is permitted. The nomination form and supporting documents comprise the entire documentation for a candidate's nomination. Neither the nominee nor anyone representing him or her is to contact the awards committee member(s) once the nomination has been made and before the final selection has been made. Any violations of this will subject the nominee to disqualification.

 

The Selection Process

The nomination packages will be reviewed by MSFCA Awards Selection Committee to select the winners. MSFCA reserves the right to omit an award. Winners will be announced and presentations made at the annual meeting of the MSFCA, and photos published in the November/December issue of the Minnesota Fire Chief Magazine.

 

Mailing Address Contact Information

Tom Brace, Executive Director                                  651-603-8827 Work

Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association                    651-603-8827 Fax

1433 Idaho Avenue West                                           800-743-0911 Toll-free

Falcon Heights, MN 55108                                        651-245-7826 Cell

trbrace@comcast.net

 

Nominations deadline is August 31st of Each Year