442nd Fighter Wing Reservist Wins FEMA Award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Wesley Wright
  • 442nd Fighter Wing/Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AFB, Mo. --  A reservist here won the 2012 Federal Emergency Management Agency's Exemplary Emergency Manager Award, which is scheduled to be presented Dec. 6, in Washington, D.C.

Tech. Sgt. Adrian T. Walker, 442nd Fighter Wing Command Post controller and civilian FEMA employee, received the award for his development of a comprehensive after-action report following the tornadoes in Joplin, Mo., May 22, 2011.

"I was surprised when I found out," Walker said. "I owe a lot of credit to Libby Turner (FEMA federal coordinating officer), who nominated me for the award."

Walker was one of only two FEMA employees who received an individual award at the national level in 2012.

He was working as the special assistant to the federal coordinating officer at the FEMA joint field office when the tornadoes hit Joplin.

Walker is no stranger to managing emergencies, as his job at the 442nd FW command post is all about managing crisis.

"We deal with emergencies here, and in FEMA," he said. "There's a lot of synergy between my civilian and military jobs."

Walker's supervisor, Master Sgt. Craig Burton, 442nd FW Command Post noncommissioned officer in charge, said Walker is a consummate professional.

"He has always been a dedicated, well-rounded, command post controller," Burton said. "Walker being awarded - this does not come as a surprise to me in the least. You can always count on him."

Walker, who is working on his master's degree in emergency management, said being in the Air Force Reserve has helped him professionally.

"I owe a lot of myself to my time in the Reserve," he said. "I learned military bearing and how to motivate myself."

According to a FEMA representative, the Administrator's Awards are FEMA's highest awards. They are used to honor individuals and teams for achievements that exhibit unparalleled service and contributions toward accomplishing the FEMA mission and supporting the larger emergency management community.