Jan 9, 2024 3 min read

Two Fayette County volunteers have received a state award for emergency preparedness.

Greg Crossley, chairman of the Fayette County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), and Roy Shipley Jr., Fayette County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director and VOAD founder, received the Rev. Shirley Norman Memorial Award for exemplary commitment of service to others.

The two received the top honors during the Keystone Emergency Management Association’s annual conference in Blair County late last year.

VOAD is an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters; provide a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and foster more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster.

Norman, now deceased, was one of the founding members and the first vice president of the Pennsylvania VOAD.

Shipley said he met Norman in the late 1980s, when she worked with him through EMA and the American Red Cross to establish the Fayette County VOAD, which was one of the first in the state.

“I also had the pleasure to work with her during other disaster events through Church World Service,” Shipley said. “I am honored to have received this award, along with Greg, as we strive to continue the good work Shirley started.”

Crossley said the award carries additional local significance, as Norman was also a Marclay EMS paramedic in Markleysburg Borough, the local emergency management coordinator for both the borough and neighboring Henry Clay Township and pastor of Union Chapel Church in Markleysburg.

“She basically embodied the VOAD movement in all ways and that, I believe, is why she was held in such high regard by people across the state and even in other states,” Crossley said.

This year marks the first time that two Shirley Norman Memorial Awards were presented.

Crossley added that he was particularly honored to receive the award for several reasons, including that Norman being from Fayette County made the award a point of pride for him.

“I think she would be pleased to know the award came back to Fayette County, especially with Roy being a recipient,” Crossley said. “They worked together on disaster relief and have the same passion for it.”

Crossley also serves as chairman of the Western Pennsylvania VOAD and secretary of the Pennsylvania State VOAD.

“On the county level, we are trying to get some enthusiasm and engagement with the organization, and we’re making some progress, but I really want to see that grow,” Crossley said of the awards potentially helping Fayette County VOAD in its outreach efforts. “On the regional level, we have 24 counties, but several don’t have a VOAD, so outreach is kind of a pet project of mine – offering any assistance that’s needed to try to get something started.”

For more information about the Fayette County organization, visit www.fayettecountypa.org/728/VOAD.