Nomination Period Now Open for Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience

June 24, 2014

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking nominations for the 2014 Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience that will recognize leadership in fostering resilience during 2013. Resilience is the ability to adapt to changing conditions and withstand and rapidly recover from disruption due to emergencies. 

The Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience is DHS’s first national resilience award for superior leadership and innovation by a private sector individual or organization who exemplifies the qualities and achievements of Rick Rescorla. While the award is for individuals and organizations in the private sector, volunteer responders – firefighters, emergency medical providers, and law enforcement personnel – are also eligible. In addition, local government officials, including first responders, are encouraged to nominate individuals or organizations in their communities. In 2014, there will be two separate awards for organizations, one for “for-profit organizations” and one for “not-for-profit organizations.” 

Rick Rescorla served as Vice President of Security for Morgan Stanley in its World Trade Center headquarters. Following the 1993 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Rescorla regularly drilled his Morgan Stanley employees in disaster preparedness and response, especially evacuation. On 9/11, Rescorla led a massive evacuation of Morgan Stanley's 2,700-person workforce located in the South Tower. Rick Rescorla died on 9/11 as he returned to the South Tower in order to assist others.

Candidates may be nominated for the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience until July 17, 2014 at 11:59pm EDT. All nominations must be submitted by email to rescorlaaward@hq.dhs.gov. For further information, including the nomination form, visit www.dhs.gov/rick-rescorla-national-award-resilience.

Questions concerning the award may be sent to bradley.garner@hq.dhs.gov.