341st CES civilian earns Air Force-level recognition

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Retired Senior Master Sgt. Royce Shipley, now a civil servant in the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron, was selected as the Air Force Emergency Manager of the Year and was presented his award during the Emergency Management Symposium in Dallas, Texas, in late August. 

Mr. Shipley has more than 20 years experience in emergency management and is the key player for the 341st Missile Wing on all emergencies and hazardous material incidents at Malmstrom, according to 1st Lt. Jose Hernandez, Readiness and Emergency Management Flight commander. 

Some of Mr. Shipley's significant accomplishments during the award period Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2008, which earned him this award include spearheading joint exercises which tested 13 multi-agency emergency management plans for response to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident. He also conducted the first-ever HAZMAT technician course which certified 11 personnel from Malmstrom and the Montana Air National Guard. He is an active contributor at five emergency management planning committee meetings providing his expertise to military commanders and civilian emergency managers alike. 

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer appointed him to the Montana Emergency Response Commission where he engages with state leaders which allowed him to partner with them and other agencies to provide emergency response to 147,000-square-miles of north and central Montana. 

Mr. Shipley's keen emergency management knowledge contributed in the designing of the base's new Incident Command Center, currently under construction, to incorporate Air Force Incident Management Systems principles. 

In addition to these and his many other contributions during the award period, Mr. Shipley is working to complete his master's degree in emergency management and has maintained a 4.0 grade point average during the process. 

Lieutenant Hernandez is grateful to be working alongside such a master of his trade.
"I constantly try to learn from his many years of experience," the flight commander said. "He has so much knowledge and whatever I can learn from him can only help me in my career now and in the future." 

Staff Sgt. Sarah Smith has worked with Mr. Shipley only a short time, seven months, but she is also benefitting from his expertise. 

"The most beneficial thing I have learned from Mr. Shipley's leadership is service before self," said the emergency management technician. "He constantly and consistently puts the mission before himself. He is usually the last one to leave the office and the minimum requirement is never enough. He demands the best from himself and makes the individuals that work with him want to put forth that effort as well."