Fulscher awarded state's top emergency services recognition

[July 20, 2013]  A diligent servant of Logan County, long held in high esteem locally for his skill in his profession, has gained professional recognition from the state. Dan Fulscher, director of the Logan County Emergency Management Agency, has been recognized by the lead state emergency services association for his achievements

Fulscher not only maintains highest standards of performance year after year in his local duties but also aided in both national and state events last year.

Rick Aylesworth, law enforcement chairman for the Logan County Board, announced during the board's June adjourned session that Fulscher had been presented the O.D. Troutman Award. The award, formerly known as the EMA Coordinator of the Year, is the highest honor presented by the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association, or IESMA. Fulscher received his award at the annual conference in April.

To qualify for the award, a person must be an emergency management coordinator for three years, an IESMA member and show exemplary performance locally, statewide and nationally. Nominations for the award are made locally and presented to the IESMA Awards Committee.

A letter written by the current IESMA president, Ryan Buckingham, noted that Fulscher was called on to go to Chicago last October during the international peace talks.

He has often been called on to serve in other places to coordinate communications activities for security measures.

Aylesworth re-presented the award, expressing appreciation on behalf of the Logan County Board for the quality work that Fulscher has done for many years.

Fulscher's first response was to say that he couldn't do what he does without all of the people he works with on a daily basis: those who run his office and those who are part of other departments and agencies his office works with throughout the year. He spoke for several minutes, getting some chuckles when he said he would not go over his time but would use the full five minutes he'd been allotted. He strongly emphasized credit to everyone he works with on a regular basis: first responders, agencies and volunteers.

He recalled that there was a considerable amount of preparation and coordination that required the board's involvement to get approval to participate in the security for the Chicago peace talks.

And finally, with most sincerity, he said to the board: "I thank all of you for allowing me to do my job the way I do and for making it possible for me to go do these other things as well."

Below is a copy of a letter from IESMA to the Logan County Board:

Illinois Emergency Services Management motto: "Coordinating the efforts of our members in a common cause to protect the lives and property of the citizens we serve"

June 6, 2013

Logan County Board
601 Broadway St.
Lincoln, IL 62656

Logan County Board Members,

It was with great pleasure that on April 26th, 2013, the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association (IESMA) named Director Dan Fulscher of Logan County the recipient of the 2013 O.D. Troutman Emergency Manager of the Year Award.

Dan Fulscher was selected to receive this award after nomination from Logan County, but most importantly after confirmation from his peers that Dan more than deserved such an honor. IESMA's Awards Committee assembles a team of individuals to review each application that is submitted for this award to ensure the selected recipient is one of Illinois' most elite Emergency Managers.

Dan Fulscher is known as a leader in emergency management and public safety telecommunications throughout Illinois. Dan's efforts are visible in almost every proactive emergency management program in the State. As Co-Chair of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force – Emergency Management Committee, Dan has helped to secure millions of dollars in funding for local emergency management programs. Some of the grant programs that Dan has helped to develop include emergency operations center technology grants, weather radios, emergency management assistance team program, GIS capabilities, communications systems, and the list goes on and on.

Additionally, Dan is known for his ability to mentor in our profession. Dan has provided mentorship to several new emergency managers and helped those individuals build professional and effective emergency management agencies.

Dan Fulscher is a proven leader in the Land of Lincoln and was found by our association to be very deserving of this honor. As President of the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association, I would like to congratulate Logan County for maintaining a high level of leadership and professionalism in emergency management through the efforts of Director Dan Fulscher and his staff at Logan County Emergency Management Agency.

Very Respectfully,
Ryan M. Buckingham, IPEM, EMT-P
IESMA President

[LDN, with copy of letter]