The OPFFA Awards honours those few exceptional individuals whose passion, dedication and hard work have made a lasting impression on the membership and the association. Recipients receive their awards at the OPFFA convention which happens biennially (odd years). The OPFFA will be recognizing individuals for their contributions with an awards ceremony at this year’s 26th Annual Convention in Ottawa (Tuesday, May 30, 2023).
The three awards established by the membership through convention action over the years recognize three very special individuals who have all made lasting impressions on our Association and its membership.
Brothers Ed Hothersall, Patrick DeFazio, and Joe Adamkowski have contributed in different ways and the awards named in their honour are presented to individuals who embody similar characteristics.
The Executive Board takes great pride in choosing the successful candidates for these distinguished awards.
We request that you and your membership give serious consideration to the attached application package which describes each individual and the purpose of their award. We strongly encourage you to submit the name along with a supporting letter of a deserving candidate.
All applications must be received in the OPFFA office by 4:30pm March 31, 2023.
The three awards established by the membership through convention action over the years recognize three very special individuals who have all made lasting impressions on our Association and its membership.
Brothers Ed Hothersall, Patrick DeFazio, and Joe Adamkowski have contributed in different ways and the awards named in their honour are presented to individuals who embody similar characteristics.
The Executive Board takes great pride in choosing the successful candidates for these distinguished awards.
We request that you and your membership give serious consideration to the attached application package which describes each individual and the purpose of their award. We strongly encourage you to submit the name along with a supporting letter of a deserving candidate.
All applications must be received in the OPFFA office by 4:30pm March 31, 2023.
JOE ADAMKOWSKI AWARD
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History
This Award is to be presented by the OPFFA in honour of Joe Adamkowski, former OPFFA 7th District Vice-President.
Brother Adamkowski was a Thunder Bay fire fighter for over 23 years. Joe personified union leadership by representing his local for over 20 years and the OPFFA for over 5 years. Joe was known for his wide ranging knowledge of matters affecting professional fire fighters. His passion to represent professional fire fighters and his dedication to our union as a whole was unparalleled. Joe was astute at political action and a vehement fighter at the bargaining table, in the grievance arena, the Board room, and the convention floor. But his most valiant fight was his battle against cancer. Brother Adamkowski lost this battle on May 14, 2006. |
Purpose
The purpose of this Award is to recognize, encourage and show appreciation to any active, retired or former member of a local Association who has demonstrated selfless dedication and diligence within their own Local, the OPFFA, or the IAFF.
The individual will have shown a high level of commitment to leadership on labour-based issues on behalf of their fellow members and significantly contributed to the improvement and/or maintenance of labour-related issues within their own Local, the OPFFA or the IAFF.
They may have shown dauntless determination in their attempt to bring a corporation to terms while negotiating, or in a significant grievance situation. They may have contributed in the areas of Political Action, Public Information and/or Public Awareness.
The individual will have shown a high level of commitment to leadership on labour-based issues on behalf of their fellow members and significantly contributed to the improvement and/or maintenance of labour-related issues within their own Local, the OPFFA or the IAFF.
They may have shown dauntless determination in their attempt to bring a corporation to terms while negotiating, or in a significant grievance situation. They may have contributed in the areas of Political Action, Public Information and/or Public Awareness.
Criteria
Nominations for this Award shall be limited to one member nominated per local Association.
The Nominee shall be a member or former member from an Association who you believe best deserves recognition for their dedication or service to the Association or the OPFFA .
Documentation outlining in a concise statement the reasons you believe your Nominee meets the above criteria for the Award must be submitted together with the nomination form in compliance with the OPFFA Policy. The concise statement shall be on the nominator’s Association letterhead and shall be co-signed by the President or Secretary of said Association and shall be submitted by 4:30 pm on the deadline.
The Joe Adamkowski Award shall be presented:
The Nominee shall be a member or former member from an Association who you believe best deserves recognition for their dedication or service to the Association or the OPFFA .
Documentation outlining in a concise statement the reasons you believe your Nominee meets the above criteria for the Award must be submitted together with the nomination form in compliance with the OPFFA Policy. The concise statement shall be on the nominator’s Association letterhead and shall be co-signed by the President or Secretary of said Association and shall be submitted by 4:30 pm on the deadline.
The Joe Adamkowski Award shall be presented:
- To a member selected by the OPFFA Executive Committee from those nominations received by the OPFFA office by the deadline date.
- The recipient shall receive their Award at the OPFFA Convention Banquet. If the recipient is unable to attend the OPFFA Convention Banquet to receive their Award, the President will announce the recipient’s name to all present outlining their dedication for service to their Local and/or the OPFFA or IAFF.
- If unable to attend, the recipient shall receive their Award at the next OPFFA function that the member is able to attend.**
- Reasonable expenses for travel and accommodations will be paid for by the OPFFA.
JOE ADAMKOWSKI AWARD NOMINATION FORM
THE PATRICK J. DEFAZIO AWARD
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History
This Award is to be presented by the OPFFA in honour of Patrick J. DeFazio. Patrick DeFazio served for many years as the Chair of the OPFFA Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
Patrick was a leader in the Province in the area of Health and Safety for fire fighters. As a representative of the OPFFA on the Provincial Section 11 Committee (presently Section 21) he was instrumental in establishing the Canadian General Standard for Fire Fighter Bunker Clothing. His knowledge of fire fighter Health and Safety issues and his sincere concerns for the safety of fire fighters is the subject of this Award. |
Purpose
The purpose of this Award is to recognize, encourage and show appreciation to any active member, retired member or ex-member of an Association who has worked diligently and contributed in the area of improving fire fighter health and safety.
The cornerstone of this Award is where an individual has shown leadership in the area of fire fighter health and safety and encouraged safe practices to other members.
This individual has contributed in the area of health and safety in your Fire Department and/or on the Provincial level and has shown a dedication and commitment to their local and OPFFA Health and Safety Committees and their issues.
As well, this individual has been supportive in the areas of pro-active physical fitness, technological improvements in equipment, involvement in committees where their mandate is to improve the general health and safety of fire fighters.
The cornerstone of this Award is where an individual has shown leadership in the area of fire fighter health and safety and encouraged safe practices to other members.
This individual has contributed in the area of health and safety in your Fire Department and/or on the Provincial level and has shown a dedication and commitment to their local and OPFFA Health and Safety Committees and their issues.
As well, this individual has been supportive in the areas of pro-active physical fitness, technological improvements in equipment, involvement in committees where their mandate is to improve the general health and safety of fire fighters.
Criteria
Nominations for this Award shall be limited to one member nominated per local Association per annum.
The Nominee shall be a member or former member from an Association who you believe best deserves recognition for their dedication or service to the Association or the OPFFA .
Documentation outlining in a concise statement the reasons you believe your Nominee meets the above criteria for the Award must be submitted together with the nomination form in compliance with the OPFFA Policy. The concise statement shall be on the nominator’s Association letterhead and shall be co-signed by the President or Secretary of said Association and shall be submitted by 4:30 pm on the deadline.
The Patrick J. DeFazio Award shall be presented:
The Nominee shall be a member or former member from an Association who you believe best deserves recognition for their dedication or service to the Association or the OPFFA .
Documentation outlining in a concise statement the reasons you believe your Nominee meets the above criteria for the Award must be submitted together with the nomination form in compliance with the OPFFA Policy. The concise statement shall be on the nominator’s Association letterhead and shall be co-signed by the President or Secretary of said Association and shall be submitted by 4:30 pm on the deadline.
The Patrick J. DeFazio Award shall be presented:
- To a member selected by the OPFFA Executive Committee from those nominations received by the OPFFA office by the above prescribed deadline date.
- The recipient shall receive their Award at the OPFFA Convention Banquet. If the recipient is unable to attend the OPFFA Convention Banquet to receive their Award, the President will announce the recipient’s name to all present outlining their dedication for service to their Association and the community.
- If unable to attend, the recipient shall receive their Award at the next OPFFA function that the member is able to attend.**
- Reasonable expenses for travel and accommodations will be paid for by the OPFFA.
PATRICK J. DEFAZIO AWARD NOMINATION FORM
THE ED HOTHERSALL AWARD
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History
This Award is to be presented by the OPFFA in honour of Ed Hothersall who worked for the Association for many years. He was recognized in April of 1982, at that time serving for 30 years as an executive officer for the OPFFA. He was the Secretary for the OPFFA and also the Executive Secretary Treasurer when a reorganization of that job function took place.
Brother Hothersall had a stellar career on the London Fire Department. When he took on the job of Executive Secretary Treasurer of the OPFFA, he was legendary for his frugality as keeper of the finances for the Association. He was instrumental in the formative years of the Association helping it grow into the progressive institution that it is today. He was a delegate to the first Labour Relations Seminar held by the OPFFA in October of 1958. He was involved in community initiatives and was known for his compassion in helping brother firefighters at anytime when they were in need of personal assistance. Brother Hothersall has been deceased for quite some time but his contribution to the OPFFA is still remembered by current and retired members. |
Purpose
The purpose of this Award is to recognize and encourage any active member, retired member or ex-member of an Association who has displayed a dedication for service to their Association and the community.
The cornerstone of the Award is the concept of dedication and service (such as regular attendance at local Association meetings, participation in Association events, active participation in their community and/or works at improvement of local society).
The goal of the Award is to recognize, encourage, support and focus some attention to a member of an Association, who may otherwise go unnoticed for her/his contributions of dedication and service.
The cornerstone of the Award is the concept of dedication and service (such as regular attendance at local Association meetings, participation in Association events, active participation in their community and/or works at improvement of local society).
The goal of the Award is to recognize, encourage, support and focus some attention to a member of an Association, who may otherwise go unnoticed for her/his contributions of dedication and service.
Criteria
Nominations for this Award shall be limited to one member nominated per local Association.
The Nominee shall be a member or former member from an Association who you believe best deserves recognition for their dedication or service to the Association or the OPFFA .
Documentation outlining in a concise statement the reasons you believe your Nominee meets the above criteria for the Award must be submitted together with the nomination form in compliance with the OPFFA Policy. The concise statement shall be on the nominator’s Association letterhead and shall be co-signed by the President or Secretary of said Association and shall be submitted by 4:30 pm on the deadline.
The Ed Hothersall Award shall be presented:
The Nominee shall be a member or former member from an Association who you believe best deserves recognition for their dedication or service to the Association or the OPFFA .
Documentation outlining in a concise statement the reasons you believe your Nominee meets the above criteria for the Award must be submitted together with the nomination form in compliance with the OPFFA Policy. The concise statement shall be on the nominator’s Association letterhead and shall be co-signed by the President or Secretary of said Association and shall be submitted by 4:30 pm on the deadline.
The Ed Hothersall Award shall be presented:
- To a member selected by the OPFFA Executive Committee from those nominations received by the OPFFA office by the above prescribed deadline date.
- The recipient shall receive their Award at the OPFFA Convention Banquet. If the recipient is unable to attend the OPFFA Convention Banquet to receive their Award, the President will announce the recipient’s name to all present outlining their dedication for service to their Association and the community.
- If unable to attend, the recipient shall receive their Award at the next OPFFA function that the member is able to attend. **
- Reasonable expenses for travel and accommodations will be paid for by the OPFFA.
ED HOTHERSALL AWARD NOMINATION FORM
