We are pleased to announce the winners of the annual Assateague Island Superintendent’s Award, and the Assateague Island Safety Award. The Superintendent’s Award is given to an employee or employees who have performed “above and beyond” during the previous year. The Safety Award is given to an employee who has made a major contribution to the safety program or the safety culture of the park and is chosen from peer nominations.
The 2022 Superintendent’s award goes to Jim Bell.
Jim is the primary "operator in charge" of the water and wastewater treatment plant at park headquarters and the water treatment plant on the island. He is also the primary staff member responsible for the maintenance and repairs of these facilities. He completes and maintains records of all scheduled sampling and compiles the information for reporting and permitting requirements. He works directly with park staff, contractors, and regulatory officials to ensure water and sewer facilities are operated safely and within permitting guidelines. Jim is one of the “unsung heroes” on the Assateague staff, working behind the scenes keeping vital systems running. Jim is required to come on duty in all conditions, often when other employees are staying home. Jim’s contribution and dedication to the operation and to staff and visitor safety is extremely vital, and often overlooked.
The runner up for the Superintendent’s award is Bill Ramsey. Bill is the park Law Enforcement Specialist, but during 2022 his duties included Acting Chief Ranger from January to June. In addition to these duties, Bill rewrote the park’s Physical Security and Structural Fire Plans, a complicated and time-consuming job which will greatly increase safety at the park.
The 2022 Assateague Island National Seashore Safety Award goes to Chris Fitzgerald. Chris is the Maintenance Supervisor for the Virginia District. Chris’s operation involves the use of multiple pieces of heavy construction equipment to rebuild the parking facilities at the Chincoteague Beach every spring, and after major storms. This is a complex, potentially dangerous process, which often must be done on short notice and under tight time constraints.
Chris has also revamped all safety protocols and standard operating procedures for the various maintenance shops in the Virginia District, including the carpentry shop, the metal shop, and the auto shop, all of which involve the use of potentially dangerous equipment. All of these SOPs are now fully in compliance with the latest NPS and OSHA standards. Chris also completed the non-wildland fire chainsaw operator and instructor course. This will allow him to conduct chainsaw training on site, eliminating the need for staff to travel to get this important training.
The runner up for the Safety award is Jeanne Feltes. Jeanne works within the Administrative Division. She was awarded for her efforts to maintain a COVID safe environment within the park credentialling office, keeping it open when many similar offices in the region closed. Jeanne is also a member of the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department Emergency Medical Crew and has responded to many emergencies in the park and the local community for years.
Honorable Mentions for the Safety award include Sara Tobin, Horse Management Lead Ranger, Lauren “Ashley” Shelton and Steven Braun from the Fee Management office, Chris Amoroso and Mark Warren from the Maintenance Division, and Lindsey Reis, Lead Wildlife Biologist. All these employees were nominated by their peers for the leadership in the world of safety.
The park would like to thank all of the nominees, and award winners for 2022.
Original source can be found here
