By Taylor Boyd
Longtime Patrick County Emergency Services Coordinator Steve Allen was awarded the Stanley Everett Crigger Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Emergency Management Association (VEMA) at a recent board of supervisors meeting.
Allen, who served in his role for more than 10 years, stepped down from the position on July 9. He was originally the recipient of the award in 2020, but the presentation was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
VEMA Region 6 board member and Henry County Director of Public Safety Matt Tatum said the award is given to those that exemplify the dedication and virtues of award’s namesake.
“The purpose of this award is also to recognize both Stan’s and the recipient’s assistance to those less fortunate as well as their care and contributions to those in their greatest time of need. To acknowledge that emergency management as a career is not simply the hours on the job, but includes the time off as well,” he said.
As he read Allen’s nomination, Tatum said one could easily substitute Allen’s name for Crigger’s because of the numerous similarities.
Like many in his profession, Allen juggles and wears many hats.
“Besides serving as the Emergency Management Coordinator, Steve is the county Fire & EMS chief. While all fire departments and volunteers operate under their individual charter, Steve works tirelessly to coordinate training countywide and often teaches the classes as a certified instructor himself,” he said.
Tatum said Allen manages and applies for multiple grants, coordinates and manages skills checkoffs, and leads county special operation teams in handling search and rescues.
“Under Steve’s leadership, the county has recently began career EMS personnel where he handles all aspects of the functions including fleet management, personnel, inventory, and training,” he read.
Like many local jurisdictions, Allen operated with a restricted budget, which did “not impaired him from maintaining a state of readiness and capability for the community,” Tatum added.
He read that Allen was also quick to establish and leverage partnerships with stakeholders in the county for numerous necessities including shelters, specialized equipment, transportation, and resource multipliers. “In one case through partnerships he developed, a shelter owner agreed to install a generator with quick-connect capabilities while Steve researched and found portable generations that he purchased at a fraction of the original cost,” he said, adding there were numerous other instances of Allen’s resourcefulness that bettered the county.
Allen also supported the region and his neighbors with the same level of care he gave to his job, Tatum said. “Twice a year every year, Steve delivers, stages, and supports the Martinsville Speedway races with his trailer. Each Saturday and Sunday, you can find him poised and ready at turn three of the racetrack should the need arise for his services,” he said.
Tatum said that Allen went above and beyond in his position as after every large-scale event he would call the effected locality and the regional team to see if he could help other emergency managers. He noted that Allen was also the first one to volunteer for grant reviews, exercise, and interview panels. “Steve never looks for credit or glory, just to serve another life,” he said.
