WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security today announced the start of the nomination period for the 2014 Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience that recognizes leadership in fostering resilience during the previous year. Resilience is the ability to adapt to changing conditions and withstand and rapidly recover from disruption due to emergencies.
“Resilience is part of the fabric of our nation,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. “DHS created the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience to recognize excellence in the preparation for or response to catastrophic incidents.”
DHS created the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience in memory of Richard "Rick" Rescorla, who on September 11, 2001 led a massive evacuation of Morgan Stanley's 2,700-person workforce located in the South Tower, saving the lives of all but six. Following the 1993 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Rescorla regularly drilled his Morgan Stanley employees in disaster preparedness and response, especially evacuation, ensuring that employees knew how to evacuate and where to go on 9/11.
The Rescorla Award is the Department of Homeland Security’s first national resilience award for superior leadership and innovation by a non-governmental individual or organization who exemplifies the qualities and achievements of Rick Rescorla, emphasizing leadership in effective preparation, response, and recovery in the face of disasters. DHS will present the 2014 Rescorla Award to honorees in three categories: individuals, not-for-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations.
On April 3, 2014, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson presented the 2013 Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience to the New York Mets, Walgreens and Monsignor John Brown, recognizing their contributions to their communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
For more information on the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience and how to nominate an individual or organization, visit www.dhs.gov/rick-rescorla-national-award-resilience. An individual or organization may be nominated for the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience beginning April 17, 2014. The nomination forms and supporting materials must be returned no later than July 17, 2014 in order to be considered for recognition in 2014.
For more information, visit http://www.dhs.gov/rick-rescorla-national-award-resilience.
###