The Federal Emergency Management Agency presented the winners of the National Fire Academy's 2003 Outstanding Research Awards at the annual Executive Fire Officer Program Symposium, April 16-18 in Emmitsburg, Md.

The four officers were chosen from a pool of 681 EFOP candidates. The award recipients are:

Bttn. Chief D. John Garino of Wayne Township Fire Department, Indianapolis, on “Evacuation and Shelter Instructions for Residents of Large Apartment Buildings” for the Executive Development Course.

Deputy Chief David A. Hayes of the Tulsa (Okla.) Fire Department on “Identifying and Addressing Sick Leave Use Trends for the Tulsa Fire Department” for the Executive Leadership Course.

Chief Shane Ray of Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department, Brentwood, Tenn., on “Expansion of the Incident Command System in a ‘Mayday’ Situation” for the Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency Management Course.

Deputy Chief Andrew G. Smerz of the Milwaukee Fire Department on “Fire and Life Safety Education for the Elderly” for the Leading Community Risk Reduction Course.

The EFOP is designed to provide senior fire officers with a broad perspective on fire service leadership and administration. Over a four-year period, the executives continue their professional development in four courses at the NFA recommended for either graduate-level or upper-division baccalaureate credit equivalency by the American Council on Education. Participants must complete an applied research project in their organization six months after the completion of each of the four course areas.

“These applied research projects represent innovation, creativity and excellence in research design. Their recommendations undoubtedly will yield benefits to the public in the months to come,” said U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison.

For a copy of the winning projects, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.