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Norris named AFMC’s Emergency Management Program Manager of the Year

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Holli Nelson
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Air Force Material Command recently named Staff Sgt. Samuel Norris, a member of the 387th Air Expeditionary Support Squadron and Broken Arrow, Okla. native, as the Emergency Management Program Manager of the Year.

Norris is deployed from the 775th Civil Engineering Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where he serves as the Emergency Response Operations NCO in charge.

The Air Force Emergency Management Awards recognize the most outstanding military and civilian emergency managers and provides the Air Force nomination for respective awards with the International Association of Emergency Managers.

"I am not really someone who goes out and looks to be rewarded for doing my job. I am very grateful that my leadership at Hill AFB thought enough of my performance to submit my name for this award," Norris said.

Applicants must demonstrate significant accomplishments, technical competence, leadership, initiative and resourcefulness, which is something Norris has achieved.
Norris served as an Emergency Management technical school instructor at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. and accumulated more than 100 hours of volunteer work within the local community. Additionally, he is credited with taking on the responsibility of emergency response operations at Hill AFB, turning it into a workable program that allowed for faster emergency management response time, and ultimately ensuring a greater response impact on scene.

"It is more fulfilling for me to have leadership that respects me than it is for me to receive awards, even at the Major Command level. It's great to know that my EM community supports me in this way," said Norris.

While deployed to the 387th SPTS, Norris serves as the single emergency manager in charge of the EM program. Furthermore, he is also the group lead for the Exercise Evaluation Team and the Civil Engineering hazardous materials representative in which he provides training and implementation for the HAZMAT and shelter in place programs.

"Staff Sgt. Norris is an outstanding Emergency Manager who is instrumental for the 386th Air Expeditionary Group's disaster preparedness. Our EM program is in top shape due to his diligence and continuous efforts to the Airmen he serves," noted 1st Lt. Garrett Karnowski, 387th ESPTS civil engineer.

Maj. Scott Cline, 775th Civil Engineering Squadron commander also highlighted Norris' experience and professionalism as second to none.

"Prior to his deployment, he worked emergency management response planning here at Hill AFB. This included joint training with first responders and coordinating with team Hill organizations to develop safety and preparedness plans for more than 21,000 personnel. We're pretty proud of Staff Sgt. Norris and the work that he does at home station and while deployed," said Cline.

Norris will now move on to compete at the Air Force level.