The Coast Guard is proud to announce this year’s Emergency Management Award winners, honoring the units and individuals who have successfully led the Coast Guard through some of the year’s most complex and dangerous crises and set the gold standard in readiness, planning, and crisis response.
“Our emergency managers are the backbone of our operational readiness,” said Rear Adm. M.M. Dean, Assistant Commandant for Operations Integration and Response Policy. “This year’s winners faced unprecedented challenges — from major oil spills to intense civil disturbances — and proved that the Coast Guard is always ready to protect our communities. They didn’t just manage incidents, they led their people through them, setting a powerful example for the entire workforce and the communities they serve.”
Operational Unit of the Year: Sector New Orleans
Sector New Orleans earned the top spot for managing an incredible operational tempo through some of this year’s most complex and dangerous crises. They activated 25 Incident Management Teams (IMTs) to coordinate responses to major real-world emergencies, including:
Despite this heavy real-world workload, the Sector still completed 15 training exercises and maintained an impressive 87% IMT readiness rate while preparing for upcoming Sail250 events.
Response of the Year: Station Chicago for Operation Midway Blitz
Station Chicago’s crew showed unwavering dedication during Operation Midway Blitz, a prolonged, high-stress security event that lasted from October 14 to November 12, 2025. Faced with severe physical security threats and localized civil disturbances, the station initiated a formal Type 3 incident command system (ICS) response. With support from the Sector Lake Michigan IMT, the crew successfully protected their facility, their people, and their DHS partners.
Emergency Manager of the Year: LT Ramon Gil Dominguez, Sector New Orleans
LT Gil Dominguez earned this individual honor for his expert leadership as a Planning Section Chief, guiding over 1,000 Coast Guard members through five major Type 1 and Type 2 events. His portfolio included the 96-day Well #59 oil spill, a threat on a passenger ferry, and year-long preparations for Super Bowl LIX. As the unit's ICS Coordinator, LT Gil Dominguez used every phase of these responses as a hands-on training opportunity, elevating the skills and capabilities of everyone involved.
Other Outstanding Nominees
The competition was fierce, and several other nominees deserve recognition for their outstanding performance:
Future Nominations
If your unit, co-workers, or you would like to compete for next year's awards, the selection panel looks for individuals and commands that excel in five key areas.
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to every emergency manager in the fleet working hard to keep our nation safe!
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