2014 National Water Safety Congress Award Winners

1. 2014
Awards Luncheon
National Water Safety Congress
18th Annual International Boating & Water Safety Summit
Ernie Lentz, President, Michael Fields, Executive Director
Saving Lives on the Water Since 1951

2. Region 1
Brian Davidson, Vice President
Ohio
Pennsylvania
New York
New Jersey
Vermont
Maine
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Delaware

3. Region 1
Regional Award
James F. O’Boyle, Park Manager
Instrumental in promoting,
organizing and implementing the
dynamic improvements in public
water safety at Corps Lake
His efforts have resulted in the
Corps making approximately
345,500 contacts
USACE

4. James F. O’Boyle, Park Manager
Coordinated a partnership
with the Ohio Division of
Watercraft to staff a booth
at the Cincinnati Travel,
Sport and Boat show. Over
6,044 public contacts were
made

5. James F. O’Boyle, Park Manager
Maintains Corps involvement with
the Cincinnati Reds mascot at
Great American Ballpark with up to
33,000 fans viewing water safety
messages on the scoreboard while
Bobber and Park Rangers roam
the stadium meeting children and
distributing water safety coloring
books

6. James F. O’Boyle, Park Manager
Promoted innovative
methods to educate
the public on water
safety such as posting
awareness signs at
approach roads and
life rings placed at
courtesy docks

7. Region 1
Award of Merit Miami River Area
USACE, OH
Through community outreach programs, utilizing banners, signs etc…and
staffing educational booths at numerous events, Miami River Area team
coordinated an effective water safety education campaign in southwest
Ohio and in southeast Indiana that reached an estimated 85,965 people

8. Miami River Area
USACE, OH
Water Safety
Displays
Examples of Water Safety Signs provided
Paddling safety for
at-risk youth

9. Miami River Area
USACE, OH
In-House Trainings
Boat Patrols and
Enforcement Actions

10. Region 1
Award of Merit
The Disability Resource Network, Inc.
A Nonprofit agency established
specifically to address the needs
of individuals with disabilities
and those supporting them.
Their mission is to provide
training, resources and service
linkage to enhance the quality of
life for individuals with
disabilities

11. The Disability Resource Network, Inc.
Provides free learning
experiences in boating safety
and skill development by
offering a Paddlesports
Education class for those
with special needs. Classes
include canoeing and
kayaking opportunities
Individuals w/ disabilities -
including Autism, deafness and
down syndrome are given the
opportunity to experience
boating (usually for the 1st time)

12. The Disability Resource Network, Inc.
In 2013, the Network offered 12
Paddlesport events and had
103 individuals take part in
canoeing or kayaking

13. Region 2
John “Punkie” Punkiewicz, Vice President
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nevada
Kansas
Minnesota
Iowa
Illinois Indiana
Michigan

14. Region 2
Regional Award
Founded 2006
Mississippi River Water Trail Association
For FY 2013
1,800 water safety contacts
Volunteers provided 687
service hours = $15,210 of
in kind support

15. Mississippi Water Trail Association
Communities, agencies
and other organizations
partner with the MRWTA
to support safe public
use of the Trail via
paddling events and
educational opportunities
Mission: To promote the
MRWTA and safe paddling
activities throughout the
Mississippi River System

16. Mississippi River Water Trail Association
2013 Water Safety Initiatives
In partnership w/ 13 other agencies
2 Community Outreach Events
reaching 400 attendees
Collaborated to produce a
“Ready, Set, Wear It” video for
YouTube
Partnered w/ USACE for the
official ribbon cutting ceremony
for the “National Designation”
of the MRWTA

17. Region 2
Award of Merit
40yrs of service with USACE!!
Mary George
USACE, Detroit District, Duluth Office

18. Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
Effectively communicates the
hazards of the Great Lakes to
the general public at many
local and regional events
Her focus has been educating
the public regarding “all water
safety issues” particularly on
the topics of navigation
structure and rip currents on
Lake Superior
Mary George

19. Mary George
• Has made thousands of personal contacts via attendance
at public events to convey, “THEY FLOAT YOU DON’T” &
“JUST WEAR IT”
• Instrumental in initiating a new law between USACE &
City of Duluth to enforce fines for illegal use of
skateboards on federal land
• Provides numerous organizations w/ age appropriate
water safety materials

20. Region 2
Award of Merit
Boat Operator for
Backwater Gambler Ski Team
Brint Burrill

21. Brint Burrill
Was requested to provide assistance with a local
emergency at the low head dam on the Rock River in
Milan, IL
Instrumental in the rescue of 2 victims, and the prevention
of another life lost at the scene

22. Brint Burrill
Over 30 years of experience in the operation of a high
powered ski boat (3-225 hp engines)
Teamed up with local emergency response units in low head
dam rescue training to expedite response time, practice
techniques, and use of specialized equipment to prevent
such incidences from happening again
Has been chosen to compete in the 2014 IWWF World
Ski Show Tournament in Sept, 2014

23. Region 2
Award of Merit
Maggie Kubina
Student Intern Park Ranger, Mississinewa Lake

24. Maggie Kubina
During 2013 season, Maggie
reached 16,312 persons and
increased interpretive contacts
by a conservative 652% through
water safety outreach events
and educational programming
Developed a weekly “Reading
with a Ranger Program”

25. Maggie Kubina
Partnered with the USCG
Auxiliary to offer courtesy
vessel safety checks
Set up display booths at boat
ramps where she issued
loaner PFD’s and humored
kids using Seamoore Serpent
Robot character

26. Region 2
Award of Merit
Justin Lind, Park Ranger
USACE , Coralville Lake

27. Region 2
Award of Merit
Cody Brothersen, Park Ranger
USACE , Coralville Lake

28. Justin Lind & Cody Brothersen
Situation:
A young couple launched their boat at a ramp near the
Coralville Dam, the boat stopped running and wouldn’t
start
Their boat started drifting into the “hazard area.” They
tried paddling away but the current was too strong
Ranger Lind and Ranger Brothersen responded and were
able to get both occupants to safety
Both were instrumental in saving
the life of this young couple

29. Region 2
Letter of Commendation
Park Ranger Ryan J. Poland
USACE, Monroe Lake, IN

30. Region 2
Letter of Commendation
David R. Cable, Operations Manager
USACE, Monroe Lake, IN

31. Ryan J. Poland & David R. Cable
Situation:
During boat patrol Mr. Poland and Mr. Cable noticed a
man hanging onto a line at the stern of a vessel
The person began swimming away toward another boat.
When Mr. Poland and Mr. Cable reached the man’s side,
he wasn’t responding to their verbal commands and he
began to go under
They threw the man a life ring and he grabbed it. He was
brought aboard the vessel and a Conservation Police
Officer did a field sobriety test which the man failed
Had Mr. Poland & Mr. Cable not reacted quickly, the
situation could have ended in a drowning death

32. Region 3
Anna Stewart, Vice President
South
Carolina
North Carolina

33. Region 3
Regional Award
Carr Creek Lake & Buckhorn Lake
Through teamwork
the staff at Carr
Creek Lake and
Buckhorn Lake were
able to impact 7,900
individuals young
and old with the
“Water Safety”
message

34. Carr Creek Lake & Buckhorn Lake
Ginger Bread Festival in
Hindman, Kentucky
750 direct water safety
contacts were made
Booneville Parade throwing
free Frisbees to young and old

35. Carr Creek Lake & Buckhorn Lake
Crocketsville Music Festival
Over 1,000 water safety contacts
were made and over 500 water
safety items were given away
Black Gold Festival in Hazard,
Kentucky
Over 6,000 water safety contacts
were made

36. Carr Creek Lake & Buckhorn Lake
9th Annual Environmental
Fair at the Tailwater
recreation area
100 elementary students
attended
Instruction was given on
safe boat operation and
proper life jacket wear

37. Nathaniel “Doug” Bacon
Region 3
Award of Merit
Learning how to swim is a key
component to water safety

38. Nathaniel “Doug” Bacon
Auburn University Graduate Student
Saved a woman who leaped from a bridge into the frigid Alabama
River in an attempted suicide
Mr. Bacon removed some of his clothing, went into the cold River,
swam out to the woman and rescued her by bringing her back to shore

39. Region 3
Award of Merit
Sgt. Evelyn
Ghant

40. Lt. Curtis Muhannad
Sgt. Evelyn Ghant
Officer Harry Tubbs
Situation:
Lt. Muhannad, Sgt. Ghant, and Officer Tubbs responded
to an alleged suicide attempt near the Edmund Pettus
Bridge in Selma, Alablama
They were asked to drive to Selma City Marina and find
someone’s vessel to utilize
A local boater gave them a ride upstream where they
observed a woman’s body partially afloat
They retrieved the unconscious body of the woman and
immediately administered CPR and she was resuscitated

41. Region 3
Award of Merit
James R. LoweSituation:
Lt. Muhannad, Sgt. Ghant, and Officer Tubbs responded to an alleged
suicide attempt near the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama
They were asked to drive to Selma City Marina and find someone’s vessel to
utilize
A local boater gave them a ride upstream
Mr. Lowe’s unwavering action and boat operation skills
made a significant difference in the rescue operation and
helped save a life

42. Region 3
Award of Merit
Ranger & Administrative Staff of Green River Lake
Larry Lemmon, Lead Park Ranger
Jessica Grinnell, Park Ranger
Andrea O’Bryan, Park Ranger
Sandra Mattingly, Office Administrator
Shannon Wright, Office Clerk
Garry Curry, Summer Hire Park Ranger

43. Ranger & Administrative Staff of Green River Lake
Over 33,400 water
safety contacts
were made in FY
2013
Promoted water
safety by handing
out water safety
information at
local & regional
events via the
Visitor Center

44. Ranger & Administrative Staff of Green River Lake
Green River Lake staff
participated in over 50
events (i.e. Taylor
County Fair, Outdoor
Day, Annual Lakeshore
Cleanup, Kids Fishing
Derby and Kentucky
State Fair)
Conducted a Life
Jacket Loaner Program
with infant, child, and
adult life jackets
available at 8 checkout
locations

45. Region 3
Award of Merit
Bill Hopper

46. Bill Hopper
Participates in the Grenada
Lake Spirit of America Youth
Boating Program each June
His knowledge, skills, and
abilities as a boating
instructor are exemplary

47. Bill Hopper
His ability to maintain
teenagers attention during his
boating course is exceptional.
He makes learning about
boating fun and enjoyable
Safety of his students is
priority #1. He has fatherly
patience to answer all
questions. When it comes to
his own learning process, he
is a perfectionist in all areas of
boating and water safety

48. Region 3
Letter of Commendation
Lindsey Pierce, USACE
Enid Lake Office, MS
University of Mississippi
Student who was
selected to work as a
temporary Student
Conservation Association
Public Safety Intern
between May 2013 and
September 2013 at Enid
Lake

49. Lindsey Pierce, USACE
Enid Lake Office, MS
Partnered with area high schools to promote water safety
throughout football season. Cheerleaders were provided plastic
footballs to be thrown at home games with Enid Lake’s Water
Safety logo an safety message, “YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE,
WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET”
Developed and executed the idea of a poster and bookmark with
mascots of in state university rivals facing each other with a Water
Safety message in a conversation bubble in print between them
Conducted water safety programs to over
8,000 visitors
Staffed water safety booths at area events

50. Region 4
Mark Brown, Vice President
New Mexico
Texas
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Montana

51. Region 4
Regional Award
Mike Fugate
BMF Project

52. Mike Fugate
What is BMF?
The Brandon Michael Fugate project: To raise funding and
resources for search and rescue agencies. To have the
necessary technology, equipment, and training to
effectively perform their jobs. To promote boating and
safety education. To provide emotional support to families
who have to go through a search and rescue event
Larry the Life Vest Mascot
The logo is based on the tattoo that Brandon
helped design and had on his shoulder. This
tattoo was what the rescue workers used to
positively identify Brandon

53. Mike Fugate
Brandon Michael Fugate
1990-2008
Brandon, at 18 years of age drowned in Lake Ray
Hubbard on November 29, 2008
Brandon and two other friends were on the Lake to
check out trout line when bad weather came through
and a wave hit their boat as a result of a 40mph wind
gust
Brandon and his two friends were thrown into 42
degree water with no life jackets. With his two friends
floating, Brandon felt his swimming ability was strong
enough to get him to shore to get help
He never made it. Subsequently, it took 29 days to find
Brandon. This length of time was as a result of
insufficient resources and funding for the organizations
that assisted in his search and rescue
His Story

54. Mike Fugate
BMF Project fund raises in order to
provide equipment to train hundreds
of first responder personnel in Texas
and southern Oklahoma
They have provided equipment to
and trained roughly 225 first
responders including police, fire and
EMS. They have provided side scan
sonar to Arkansas and Mississippi
Participated in the Texas Parks and
Wildlife video on water safety
awareness that will be seen by every
driver’s education student in the
state of Texas

55. Region 4
Award of Merit
Simon DeSoto
USACE
Galveston District
38 Years of Service!

56. Simon DeSoto
1,000,000 potential audience reached
using broadcast, print, online and
social media placements to educate
the public about water safety
10 community outreach events hosted
16 public service announcements via
radio to an audience of 36,000
15 local politicians supported the
water safety campaign
5 news releases distributed to media
and 1 proclamation

57. Simon DeSoto
The 17th IBWSS Media Awards recognized DeSoto with
second and third place awards for his radio and
water safety public service announcements

58. Region 4
Award of Merit
Trooper Rodney Copeland #214
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Marine Enforcement

59. Trooper Rodney Copeland #214
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Marine Enforcement
Wrote, produced, recorded and distributed radio PSA
messages referencing boating safety and lifejacket
wear for each of the four seasons
PSAs were distributed throughout Oklahoma and
adjoining states where they were played at the
appropriate time of year
The PSAs were heard by thousands of boaters. Areas
where the PSA’s received heavy air play – saw a
reduction in boating fatalities for the year

60. Region 4
Award of Merit
First Midwest Bank
Joseph McLane, President

61. First Midwest Bank
Joseph McLane, President
Avid supporter of Wappapello Lake’s Public Safety
Awareness Campaign since 1998
Provides water safety messages on its customer
money envelopes at each of its seven facilities
located in Southeast Missouri. This reaches 225,000
customers annually
Since 1998, several million (3,375,000) people have
been recipients of simple safety messages/reminders

62. Region 4
Award of Merit
KJRH-TV, Tulsa Oklahoma

63. KJRH-TV, Tulsa Oklahoma
Shared Tulsa District USACE Water Safety press releases
and messages with their audience – all summer long and
during key prime time spots when there is higher
viewership

64. KJRH-TV, Tulsa Oklahoma
Volunteered to produce some
video PSA’s to be aired at no
charge to the USACE during
the recreation season. A 30 sec
and 2 shorter PSAs were
produced
Tulsa District presented KJRH-TV with a commander’s Award
of Appreciation due to their commitment of volunteerism,
talent, and tens of thousands of dollars they donated
for the aired PSAs

65. Region 4
Letter of Commendation
Dan Gross, President
Southeast Missouri Regional Water Safety Council
Mission:
Promote and further the cause of
water safety in the Southeast
Missouri Region. Develop, publish
and distribute water safety
materials to the general public.
Offer educational programs to the
general public in support of water
safety. Maintain affiliation with
the National Water Safety Congress

66. Dan Gross, President
SEMO Regional Water Safety Council
Sponsors 2 major events at Wappapello Lake:
Ranger Willie’s Wet and Wild Water Fest Event
consists of aquatic type games and activities
for the entire family. The main focus is the
usage of life jackets and boating safety
The Annual Classic Amphibious Triathlon
Consists of 400 meter swim, 16 mile bike ride
and 3.1 mile run
Coordinates the life jacket loaner stations
in several towns
Paid for several 30 sec PSAs and funded
5,000 stickers to be printed and distributed to
businesses during Super Bowl Weekend

67. Region 5
Bruce Rowe, Vice President
Nevada
Utah
Arizona

68. Region 6
Brian Westfall, Interim Vice President
Washington
Oregon
Montana
Idaho
Wyoming
Colorado
Alaska

69. National Water Safety Congress
Saving Lives on the Water Since 1951

70. CONGRATULATIONS
AWARD WINNERS!
&
THANK YOU
Attendees for the effort you
put forth in saving lives!