HARRISBURG, Pa. (May 1) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today announced several awards presented to staff members in recognition of outstanding achievements.
The PFBC Bureau of Law Enforcement Top Gun Award was presented to Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO) Corey Girt (Mifflin/N. Huntingdon). This award is given annually to a WCO who displays outstanding effort in the detection and apprehension of impaired boaters. Girt, whose patrol region includes Raystown Lake, facilitated two boating safety details and participated in four others during 2018. Girt successfully apprehended eight individuals for Boating Under the Influence (BUI) and assisted in two arrests by other officers.
The Gerald L. Greiner Environmental Protection Award was presented to WCO Travis Miller (Lehigh). This award is presented annually to the WCO who best exemplifies the ideals of 'Resource First' – the protection, conservation, and enhancement of our Commonwealth's aquatic resources. In 2018, Miller investigated and acted in 18 environmental cases including one where misdemeanor criminal charges were filed.
The 2018 Officer of the Year Award was presented to WCO Robert Plumb (Pike/Wayne). Plumb was originally awarded this distinction during the annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference held earlier this month in Groton, Connecticut. Sponsored by the Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association, the award recognizes a recipient from each partner state for a well-rounded conservation law enforcement program within their assigned patrol area. Plumb's region includes Lake Wallenpaupack.
WCO Chase Rhoades was the recipient of a Lifesaving Award. While snorkeling in the ocean at a resort in Costa Rica, Rhoades observed an individual in distress. The victim was approximately 300 yards from shore when he became distressed and was struggling to keep his head above water. Rhoades swam out to the individual, identified himself as trained water rescue technician, and towed the victim safely back to shore, saving the swimmer's life.
The Heroes of Water Rescue Award was presented to Chris Calhoun, a Water Rescue Instructor with the PFBC's Water Rescue Program. This award recognizes individuals who make a significant, lasting and continuous impact in the field of water rescue based on the guidelines established by the PFBC. The award honors extraordinary long-term commitment to the program rather than an individual life-saving act. Through his past efforts to increase awareness for swiftwater and flood rescue preparedness, Calhoun has established credibility for the program and inspired other individuals and organizations to adopt it as standard training.
Each award was officially presented to the recipients at the PFBC's quarterly meeting held in Harrisburg on Tuesday, April 30.
Photo (pictured left to right): PFBC Executive Director Timothy Schaeffer, Chris Calhoun, WCO Corey Girt, WCO Robert Plumb, WCO Travis Miller, WCO Chase Rhoades, Commission Vice President Richard Lewis.
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Media Contact:
Mike Parker
Communications Director
(717)705-7806
michparker@pa.gov