CESA STATE AWARDS

How it Works
Chapters will announce nominations are open to submit to their Chapter for local recognition. Exceptional local nominations may be submitted from the Chapter Boards to the Association Board with a recommendation that they be awarded Association-Level recognition. The Association Board will select the nominations submitted by the Chapters for Association-Level Awards. CESA State Award recipients are formally honored during the Awards Ceremony as a part of the CESA Annual Conference & Training.

Nominations
During the winter or spring, visit your CESA Chapter Awards page to review the awards, requirements, and submit your nominations. To learn more about the CESA State Award Committee, email [email protected] or visit CommUnity. Each Chapter maintains their own nomination period, committee/workgroup, and Chapter awards may vary from the CESA State Award categories.

View the CESA State Award recipients from the 2024 CESA Annual Conference & Training

CESA State Award Categories
Senator Nicholas C. Petris Award (formerly the Platinum Award).
In honor of the memory of Senator Nicholas C. Petris and his great life work and contribution in support of Emergency Management. This award is presented to an organization or individual for outstanding service in the field of Emergency Management. This award is the highest level of recognition from the organization.

President’s Award
This award is voted on by all Directors of the Association Board. The award is presented to a CESA member for outstanding contributions to the CESA organization.

Gold Award
This award is presented to private & public sector organizations or individuals who have shown exceptional efforts in the field of emergency management. Can be issued for preparedness or other Emergency Management efforts resulting in benefits statewide. Not limited to members.

Emerald Award
This award is presented in appreciation to an individual from the private or public sector that is a current or past CESA member who has made significant professional contributions to the CESA organization and the Emergency Management field. This award may be presented in the name of any active CESA member or in memoriam of a past member as a part of the annual awards ceremony or at other times of the year as recommended and approved by the CESA Board (i.e., at retirement or memorial events.)

Exceptional Service Award
This award is presented to an individual or organization (public, private or non-profit) for exceptional duties performed during response and/or recovery to an emergency incident during the past year. This award recognizes events with multiple response personnel, where joint performance of their expected duties were performed, but recognition should be provided for the response to the event.

Special Recognition Awards
The Association Board can also create Special Recognition Awards for unique contributions. 

Honorary Life Member(ship)*
Recommendations can be made by Chapter Boards to the Association Board at any time during the year to honor a CESA member who has provided outstanding contributions to both the CESA organization and the field of emergency management. This award may be presented at any time during the year at the discretion of the Association Board.

*Criteria for an Honorary Membership includes:
15 years of direct significant contribution to CESA by any of the following or combination thereof:
- Board Member
- Committee Chair or committee member providing specialized service or work product
- Instructor of certified training program for Chapter Programs or Conference training

Past Award Recipients
Congratulations to all CESA State Award recipients for their contributions to the field of emergency management, as well to CESA.
View the 2023 CESA Annual Conference & Training Awards Program
See the full list of CESA State Award recipients