The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pacific Southwest Region Emergency Response Team has been awarded the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal in Safety, Security, and International Affairs for their efforts in responding to the Maui wildfires. The award was presented by the Partnership for Public Service on September 9, 2024.
Steve Calanog, Tara Fitzgerald, and Pete Guria from EPA’s Region 9 office were recognized for their work in removing hazardous materials from homes and businesses affected by the wildfires while respecting local cultural norms. This effort set new standards for federal response teams. Representing hundreds of EPA employees nationwide involved in the Maui wildfire response, they were honored for their contributions.
Additionally, EPA’s Clean School Bus Team was named a finalist in the Science, Technology, and Environment award category. The team is led by Karl Simon, Christine Koester, and Matt Lakin from EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation and Region 9.
“We are so proud of the Maui Wildfire Team for winning a 2024 Samuel J. Heyman Medal and the Clean School Bus Team for being a finalist,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “These teams represent every corner of our agency and highlight the critical role we play in helping communities recover from natural disasters and protecting public health and the environment.”
The Maui Wildfires Emergency Response Team directed over 300 EPA personnel to remove hazardous material, provide water infrastructure assistance, and offer sustainability advice during recovery efforts. On August 8, 2023, high winds and dry weather caused wildfires to develop across various areas on Maui Island. These fires affected approximately 1,550 parcels and 2,200 structures.
EPA crews removed more than 200 tons of hazardous materials from over 1,400 properties in fire-impacted areas. They provided technical assistance for stormwater management as well as wastewater and drinking water systems for Maui County while incorporating guidance from local communities to respect Lāhainā’s historical significance.
The Clean School Bus Team was recognized for designing a program that funds electric and cleaner-energy school buses to reduce pollution and improve air quality nationwide. With $5 billion allocated from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, this initiative has issued nearly 1,000 awards to over 1,200 school districts totaling more than $2.7 billion in investments.
The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals are awarded annually by the Partnership for Public Service to highlight excellence within the federal workforce.
