Fire Island National Seashore News Release

For Immediate Release April 15, 2002

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Fire Island National Seashore Receives Multiple Awards

National Park Service employees at Fire Island National Seashore have recently received three major awards. Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton has awarded two Department of the Interior awards: the Unit Award for Excellence of Service to the employees, volunteers, and partners of Fire Island National Seashore, and the Secretary’s Award for Long-Term Achievement In Diversity to Superintendent Constantine J. Dillon. Safety Officer William Flanagan has received the Regional Directors Award for Safety and Health Achievement.

Seashore Superintendent Constantine J. Dillon said the awards are an indication of the quality of work National Park Service employees exhibit. He said he is particularly proud of the Unit Award to the entire staff and the Safety Award to Mr. Flanagan. "These two awards are as a result of the efforts of the employees, volunteers, neighbors, and partners that make Fire Island National Seashore an outstanding national park," said Dillon.receives Unit "Protecting the health of people and of the natural resources of a park are two of the most important things we do," Dillon continued. "These two awards recognize our efforts and successes in these areas."

The Unit Award and the Safety Award recognize that Fire Island poses dangers to staff not common in many other parks, including extensive use of boats and a high incidence of Lyme disease. Prior to 1997 Fire Island National Seashore had a lost-time-rate for employee accidents of 12.28. The park initiated a coordinated program involving all employees; the lost time rate dropped immediately in 1998 and reached a low of zero accidents in 2001. Through pro-active leadership and an investment in employee well being, the park staff developed innovative and successful programs to lower accidents. These include annual screening for Lyme disease, screening for melanoma, and hearing tests. Increased spending and use of personal protective equipment, extensive training, and job hazard awareness have also contributed to the drop in accidents. According to Superintendent Dillon, "It was the energy and enthusiasm of Mr. Flanagan that led to these achievements."

Also cited in the Unit Award is the mosquito monitoring program initiated with the Centers for Disease Control, Suffolk County Vector Control and others, the first of its kind in any national park unit. Instituted prior to the discovery of West Nile virus, the program became a model for other parks and refuges, as well as local governments, in responding to the threat of disease while still protecting wildlife and reducing the use of pesticides. In addition, the Unit Award cited the ongoing Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Management Plan that has improved the recovery of piping plover and endangered beach plants and the deer contraception research project. The deer research program, in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States, SUNY Syracuse, and the residents of Fire Island, has garnered national attention. Said Dillon, "The employees, residents, partners, and volunteers engaged in these programs are the reason for their success."

The Department of the Interior Award for Long-Term Achievement in Diversity recognized Mr. Dillon’s extensive work on behalf of minorities and under-represented populations through more than twenty years in various parks.

For their exemplary work in achieving results through public partnering in and innovation in these programs, the employees, volunteers, and partners of Fire Island National Seashore are recognized with this Unit Award for Excellence of Service.The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.