The Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board has established an award in honor of Russell J. Strickland. This award is to be presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated professionalism in the field of fire service certification in the same manner that Mr. Strickland performed for the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board.

Mr. Strickland was instrumental in the organization and founding of the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board and has served in many capacities including Treasurer, Chairman of the Accreditation Training Review Agencies Task Force and while holding the position of Assistant Director of the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute served as a member of that agency’s Accredited Training Review Agency Local Review Board and as their Representative to the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board. Mr. Strickland also served many years as the Maryland Representative to the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.

Professional, dedicated, honest and fair were the hallmarks of Mr. Strickland’s daily life and work. His words and deeds were always courteous and respectful. It is in this light that the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board honors Mr. Strickland through this award.

Award Criteria

The Russell J. Strickland Award is presented to a worthy individual who has made significant contributions towards the promotion of certification for fire and emergency services personnel in the State of Maryland in keeping with the high standards of dedication and professionalism exhibited by Russell J. Strickland.

Nomination Process

A call for nominations will be open to all member agencies during the months of January thru February each year and all member agencies are invited to participate. Nominations for the Russell J. Strickland must be submitted to THE RUSSELL J. STRICKLAND AWARD SELECTION COMMITTEE, Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board, c/o Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, University of Maryland, Building 199, College Park, Maryland 20742-6811 by March 1^st of each year on the form designed specifically for this award.  A one page narrative shall be attached to the nomination form detailing the nominee’s contributions and up to 3 endorsements for the nominee may be included.  The endorsements shall be no more than three pages in length and should thoroughly detail the nominee’s contributions.

Selection Committee

The Russell J. Strickland Award selection committee consists of the following:

· A chair appointed from the Executive Committee by the MFSPQB Chair

· An ATRA representative appointed by the Verification Review Group (VRG)

· A regular jurisdictional representative selected from the floor of the Annual Membership Meeting

The Selection Committee shall meet annually prior to the Annual Membership Meeting to review the nominations.  The Selection Committee shall have a copy of all nomination materials forwarded to them by April 15^th of the year of the award.  The Chair of the Selection Committee may conduct follow-up on any or all of the nominations as necessary.  The Selection Committee shall determine the process for evaluating the nominations, keeping in mind the prestigious nature of the award and the level of excellence demonstrated by Mr. Strickland.  A maximum of one award will be presented annually; however, no award will be given if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, none of the nominations meet the criteria. 

Award Presentation

The Russell J. Strickland Award will be presented at the annual membership meeting held in June in conjunction with the convention of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association by members of the Executive Board of the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board and the Selection Committee or their designee(s). Every effort shall be made to ensure that the recipient is present.

The Award

The recipient of the Russell J. Strickland Award will receive a plaque or statue commemorating the award and a perpetual plaque containing the names of all award winners will be maintained in the office of the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board. Both awards will have the MFSPQB seal at the top. The office plaque will have space for 20 recipients.                    

Perpetual Plaque:

Russell J. Strickland Certification Award

Presented to a worthy individual who has made significant contributions towards the promotion of certification for fire and emergency services personnel in the State of Maryland in keeping with the high standards of dedication and professionalism exhibited by Russell J. Strickland

2008

Russell J. Strickland

Individual Award:

Russell J. Strickland Certification Award

Presented the 24^th day of August, 2008 the Russell J. Strickland Award in honor of your exemplary efforts in the promotion of certification for fire and emergency services personnel in the State of Maryland by Michael W. Robinson, Chair, Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board to:

Russell J. Strickland.

Thank you for making our system such a success!

RUSSELL J. STRICKLAND CERTIFICATION AWARD NOMINATION FORM