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Joining Fulscher in the recognitions were law enforcement committee
chairman Rick Aylesworth and board chairman Terry Carlton.
Volunteer of the year -- Glen Bonaparte
Following a tradition in which last year's volunteer of the year
gives the award to the recipient for the current year, Ed Houchins
was on hand to present to Glen Bonaparte.
Fulscher said that Bonaparte has been volunteering with EMA for
the last 10 years. Bonaparte has provided service in communications
equipment and support and has gone to the field with the mobile
command unit multiple times each year.
If you passed the unit when it was out at the airport during the
balloon fest, you may have seen him there.
It has been an unusually busy period in Logan County for
emergency events and situations this year -- really in the last few
years.
After introducing Bonaparte as this year's recipient for the
annual award, Fulscher said, looking at Bonaparte: "And, what a year
we've had! Right?"
"Yes," Bonaparte responded, and he continued to agree as each
successive event was named.
Fulscher continued: "This year, though, we've had a tornado,
spent a time in the little town of Beason, we've had storms, a water
rescue." And that has just been in the last few months. The winter
and spring brought numerous instances of high wind, heavy rain,
flooding and ice storms that created emergency needs; and there was
an event downtown in July that called for a significant amount of
security and communications assistance.
Fulscher said that Bonaparte was there anytime he was called, and
in one instance when Lawndale had a situation, Bonaparte called
Fulscher first to say he was on the way. Fulscher highlighted
Bonaparte's biggest gifts as "great communications, keeping
equipment in working order, some rewiring."
It was raining the night of the award, and as Fulscher looked at
Bonaparte, he didn't have to say it, because Bonaparte already knew
it, either by experience or by intuition; but Fulscher said it
anyway: "Just to let you know, tomorrow you're going to be working
again."
Bonaparte chuckled and acknowledged he'd be ready.
Aylesworth congratulated Bonaparte with a handshake and presented
him with his award.
Normally, Bonaparte quietly works behind the scenes, helping
others to talk. But on this momentous occasion he chose to speak.
Standing before a packed room of county board members, peers, guests
and visitors, he didn't mince words. In a strong, clear voice he
responded: "Well, I say support 911 and your Logan County EMA
because we're here for Logan County. We're here to help you! And if
you call us, we're there!"
Larry Shroyer Lifetime Achievement Award
Before announcing the other award honoree, Fulscher added a
personal note that showed how far back their fellowship went. With
fondness he said: "I owe a lot to this guy because, I'm going to
tell you, when we were in junior high together he used to beat me so
bad in basketball, I decided it was time to go into wrestling."
Side note: During the 2008 state wrestling championships Fulscher
was honored by the Illinois High School Association as a lifelong
wresting official and named a grand marshal.
Sheriff Steve Nichols received the Shroyer award for this year.
Fulscher recalled sitting with Nichols before Logan Dispatch
Center was created. "Nichols' vision and direction have been such a
support in making what we have today come true," he said.
Nichols' work and support were instrumental in the passage of the
911 surcharge and safety tax, along with the upgrading of Logan
Dispatch, the communications center and radio system.
| A brief biography of Nichols' professional
development 1966-1970 -- Lived at the Logan County
Jail while his dad was sheriff -- first taste of law
enforcement.
1974-1976 -- Attended Lincoln Land Community College;
received an associate degree in law enforcement
administration; played baseball and basketball both
years.
1976-1978 -- Attended Western Illinois University;
received bachelor's degree in law enforcement
administration.
1979-1986 -- Employed by Illinois State Police.
1987-1989 -- Employed by South Dakota Highway Patrol.
1989-2002 -- Employed by Illinois Department of
Children and Family Services: 12 years as an
investigator, two years in training.
2002 to present -- Logan County sheriff, ETSB/911
board member. |
[to top of second column] |
Carlton presented the award, saying: "What we know you more
for is your diligence providing safety to the citizens of Logan
County. This year has just been a pivotal spot in your career as
county sheriff for Logan County. From my perspective, you've just
done a stellar job, always been there -- determined, professional."
Accepting the award, Nichols said that he had had enough of the
bright lights in the last 45 days to last a lifetime, and he shifted
the praise to entities and individuals supporting the work that he
does.
"It's not about me," he said. "It's about everybody in this room.
I can talk about the paramedics -- in the last few months they've
helped out the sheriff's department immensely; 911, Mark Mann and
dispatchers; all the EMA; all the volunteers, Ron (Shawgo), Devin (Vannoy),
Glen (Bonaparte), (all in communications support); everybody. Where
I've been, they've been."
"It's a team effort," he emphasized. "When I need something from
Dan, he's there; my staff, it's the same thing."
Illustrating the strength of cooperation, he recalled a couple of
recent occasions when it was necessary to take over a property. "Not
one time did anyone say, ‘Why are we doing this?' It's been, ‘How
can we help?' And that's what Logan County is about in terms of EMA,
911 and law enforcement," he said. "And I'm proud to be sheriff.
Thank you!"
About the Larry Shroyer Lifetime Achievement Award
This award was started in 2000 in honor of the former Civil
Defense director who moved Civil Defense into ESDA, which is now EMA.
He dedicated his whole life to helping others, and he could see
ahead for decades, even centuries. His plans 40 years ago make him
like the Walt Disney of emergency management, according to Fulscher.
Fulscher said Shroyer was the backbone of the design for the
current safety complex. He negotiated local, state and federal
funding to develop the lower level of the safety complex.
The safety complex at 911 Pekin St. houses the Logan County
Sheriff's Department, Lincoln Police Department, the county jail,
EMA offices, 911 dispatch, the radio communications center and the
emergency operations center.
Past recipients of the Shroyer
Lifetime Achievement Award:
-
2000 -- Carl Faith,
Glenn Mason
-
2001 -- Gene Bathe,
Everett Kennett
-
2002 -- Doug Dutz,
Roger Leesman
-
2003 -- Ernest
Jeckel, Warren Wendlandt
-
2004 -- Stan
Anderson, Mark Mann
-
2005 -- Jim Hubrich,
Robert "Bucky" Washam Jr.
-
2006 -- Dianne
Ruff, Norma Bathe
-
2007 -- Mike
Patridge, Steve Siltman
-
2008 -- Stuart Erlenbush, Dick Logan
___
Fulscher said he would announce additional annual recognitions
and awards at an upcoming event.
The Logan County EMA works with law enforcement agencies, fire
departments, paramedics, health officials, the National Weather
Service and other agencies to provide protection for citizens'
health and safety. They assist first responders during emergency and
disaster situations, and in larger events facilitate the
coordination between multiple jurisdictions, community leaders and
agencies. They are ready to enable and enlist resources as needed.
While the agency has only three full-time and one part-time staff
in the local office, they are aided by hundreds of volunteers each
year.
Most noted for coordination and on-site support services in
communication, security and other assistance as needed, the agency
also provides land and water search and rescue operations, training
opportunities, cross-agency integrated exercises, and other
services.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
EMA award pictures
Some of the events that
local first responders and volunteers have assisted Logan County
citizens with just since July of this year:
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