Evansville commission approves two bronze merit awards, declines another after committee split

The Evansville Fire Merit Commission voted on June 10 to present two bronze merit awards for a May 6 recovery effort in Pigeon Creek and to deny an award for a March 1 incident after a split committee recommendation.

The merit awards review committee examined a May 6 swift-water recovery that involved two members who made a second attempt into the water after an initial attempt was unsuccessful. The committee recommended upgrading the original battalion chief’s recommendation and awarding two individuals bronze merit awards in recognition of the recovery effort and the decision to re-enter difficult conditions to attempt recovery rather than wait for other agencies that would have arrived after dark. The commission approved presentation of the two bronze awards by voice vote.

On a separate case from March 1, the merit committee was divided: three members voted to deny an award and two members voted to grant one. The three who voted to deny argued that denying awards in similar past cases created a consistent standard; the two dissenting members said the incident did meet award criteria. The commission accepted the committee recommendation to not present an award for the March 1 rescue.

Committee members told commissioners they plan to convene additional meetings to clarify and tighten award criteria so the department does not “wash out” the value of awards by applying them too broadly. Commissioners expressed support for sharpening criteria so awards remain meaningful.

Ending: The commission will be notified when the awards committee defines revised criteria; commissioners were invited to participate in those committee discussions.