TRANSCAER Awards

Nomination packets must include a 1000-word (maximum) essay describing the nominee’s accomplishments during his/her tenure with TRANSCAER.

There is no limitation as to the number of awards that may be given in any one year, however, it is expected that this award will be for such exceptional service that its issuance will be infrequent.

Self-nominations are not accepted for the TRANSCAER Distinguished Service Award.

Any subsequent TRANSCAER Distinguished Service Award to the same individual, company, or organization must be justified with service that significantly surpasses the service rendered for the previous award.

The recipient of the Distinguished Service Award will be recognized at the venue of choice with an award presentation.

The minimum eligibility criteria for the award are as follows:

1. Activities must have been billed or co-billed as TRANSCAER activities.
2. Nominations must show documented evidence that the efforts for which the nomination is made resulted in the delivery of TRANSCAER tools to new audiences in multiple regions OR the efforts resulted in recruitment of new TRANSCAER membership/participation in more than one region.
3. Activities helped foster better local and/or regional cooperation and/or coordination so that potential future emergencies will likely go smoother as a result of the training. There must be positive impact to the community, emergency responders, industry, and/or TRANSCAER.
4. The nominee's actions must be consistent with the principles of TRANSCAER.
5. Selection of a recipient for the National TRANSCAER Achievement Award shall be supported by no less than 75% of the members of the TRANSCAER Award Committee eligible to vote.

There is no limitation on the number of awards given in any year.

The minimum eligibility criteria for the award are as follows:

1. Activities must have been billed or co-billed as TRANSCAER activities.
2. Nominations must show documented evidence that the efforts for which the nomination is made resulted in the delivery of TRANSCAER tools to new audiences in multiple geographic locations OR the efforts resulted in recruitment of new TRANSCAER membership/participation in multiple geographic locations.
3. Activities helped foster better local and/or regional cooperation and/or coordination so that potential future emergencies will likely go smoother as a result of the training. There must be a positive impact to the community, emergency responders, industry, and/or TRANSCAER.
4. The nominee's actions must be consistent with the principles of TRANSCAER.
5. Selection of a recipient for the TRANSCAER Regional Achievement Award shall be supported by no less than 75% of the members of the TRANSCAER Award Committee eligible to vote.

There is no limitation on the number of awards given in any year.

Each nominee will be judged on the following criteria:

1. Nominee has made a major contribution or has achieved significant accomplishments in TRANSCAER on a state, regional, and national level.
2. Nominee has been engaged in planning, organizing, and supporting TRANSCAER events.
3. Nominee has demonstrated superior dedication to the TRANSCAER mission and has served as a volunteer for at least 10 years.
4. Nominee has been active in promoting safe transportation of hazardous materials for 10 years.
5. Nominee has demonstrated community impact through the fire service or other volunteer activities.
6. The selection of the TRANSCAER Torch Award recipient will be determined through a nationwide nomination process.
7. The recipient of the TRANSCAER Torch Award will be recognized at the venue of choice with an award presentation.
8. Nomination packets must include a 500-word (maximum) essay describing the nominee’s accomplishments during his/her tenure with TRANSCAER.

On the online nomination form, please describe how this achievement went above and beyond standard job duties by how it impacted a community, emergency responders, the industry, and/or the TRANSCAER Program.

Nominations for any individual, team, company, or other organization for an Individual Recognition Award may be made by the TRANSCAER Executive Committee, TRANSCAER sponsor or partner, any state or regional coordinator, or by the Chairman of the National TRANSCAER Task Group.

There is no limitation on the number of awards given in any year.

*Please note a nomination form is due for each individual recognition award that is being nominated. Please do not upload a list of multiple nominees to one nomination form*

Individual Recognition Award nominations for the 2024 TRANSCAER Awards Program are now open.

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TRANSCAER will send coordinators an annual TRANSCAER Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Survey. These questions will help coordinators reflect on their efforts, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to enhance their outreach and community engagement for TRANSCAER.

Each nominee will be judged on the following criteria: 

1. Nominee thoroughly completes the TRANSCAER Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Survey and highlights a major contribution or has achieved significant accomplishments in their state, a geographical region, and/or at the national level.
2. Nominee has been engaged in planning, organizing, and supporting TRANSCAER events within the past year.

Self-nominations are accepted for this award.  

Only one award will be presented for Coordinator of the Year each year.

The eligibility criteria were established so that the fire departments recognized by TRANSCAER are not only meeting but exceeding standard practices in hazmat safety and response, reflecting their dedication to protecting their communities. The fire department does not have to achieve all items listed under the eligibility criteria to receive an award. The departments receiving the excellent ratings as determined by the Awards Committee will receive an award. 

The areas of criteria for the Outstanding Community Safety Partnership Award are as follows: 

Training and Education 

• Demonstration of continuous education and training in hazardous materials management and emergency response by the fire department. {Rating 3}. 

Community Engagement  

• Active participation in community outreach programs to educate the public about hazmat safety and emergency procedures. {Rating 3}. 
• Collaboration with local businesses, schools, and other organizations to promote hazmat awareness and preparedness. {Rating 3}. 

Incident Response 

• Exemplary performance in responding to hazardous materials incidents, including successful containment and mitigation by the department. {Rating 5}. 
• Documentation of innovative response strategies and successful outcomes in past incidents. {Rating 5}. 

Collaboration and Partnership 

• Strong partnerships with other emergency services, local government, and industry stakeholders in managing hazmat situations. {Rating 3}. 
• Participation in TRANSCAER training, drills, exercises, and workshops to improve coordination and response capabilities. {Rating 4}. 

Leadership and Innovation 

• Demonstration of leadership in advancing hazmat response techniques and technologies. {Rating 4}. 
• Implementation of innovative practices or programs that improve overall hazmat safety and response. {Rating 5}. 

The highest possible rating is 35, where the department details their achievements and contributions to each category of eligibility criteria and provided examples of each. 

There is no limitation as to the number of awards that may be given in any one year, however, it is expected that this award will be for such exceptional service that its issuance will be infrequent.