Michael J. Brunicke Receives Harford County Department of Emergency Services “Above and Beyond the Call” Award

From Harford County government:

Michael J. Brunicke, Manager of Special Operations and Chief of the Harford County Hazardous Materials Response Team with the Harford County Department of Emergency Services, was recently chosen as the recipient of the second quarter “Above and Beyond the Call” award for the department. Brunicke, a 19-year veteran of the Department was nominated by Clarence Ross, Crew Chief of the Hazardous Materials Response Team and Robert B. Thomas, Jr., Coordinator of Community Outreach.

The “Above and Beyond the Call” award was established by Director Russell J. Strickland to recognize and pay tribute to employees that go beyond the requirements of their job duties or assignments and assists the Department as necessary to fulfill the Department’s mission.

In addition to his assigned duties as Chief of the county’s Hazardous Materials Response Team and day-to-day oversight of hazardous materials operations in Harford County, Chief Brunicke serves as the construction project manager for the new Department of Emergency Services facility, to include Phases I and II.

In the fall of 2013, Chief Brunicke realizing the Harford County Hazardous Materials Response Team had reached a milestone with 25 years of distinguished and continuous service supporting the fire service and community, planned and produced a recognition event to honor the men and women of the Team. Chief Brunicke acted on his own initiative and went above and beyond to recognize the 50 plus members, past and present, who have served on the Harford County Hazardous Materials Response Team.

With respect to the new DES facility in Hickory, Chief Brunicke has devoted hundreds of staff hours to ensure every detail, every aspect of the building project, received proper attention. Chief Brunicke has participated in dozens of construction management and update meetings with county officials, architects, vendors and construction mangers in an effort to keep the multi-million project on-time and within budget. This assignment is nearly a full-time job, yet Chief Brunicke maintains a balance of managing the Harford County Hazardous Materials Team and Special Operations, as well as the building project.

In their nomination of Chief Brunicke, Ross and Thomas wrote, “Chief Brunicke is a multi-talented and well respected member of the Department who represents the finest attributes of a supervisor and an employee. Mike comes to work every day with a positive, “can do” attitude and performs above and beyond the required, never wanting to take credit for his tireless work”.

Commenting on the selection of Chief Brunicke as recipient of the Department of Emergency Services “Above and Beyond the Call” award, Director Strickland said, “Mike Brunicke is the epitome and an outstanding supervisor and employee. He is a valued member of our management team who gets things done and consistently goes above and beyond the required with his effort”.