CDP employee receives Army public service award

Holly Terrell, the chemical surety officer for FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), was recently awarded a Commander’s Award for Public Service for her role as an exercise director during an interagency exercise between the U.S. Army’s 20th CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) Command, the CDP and multiple local emergency response agencies.

The award, signed by Maj. Gen. Antonio Munera, commander of the 20th CBRNE Command, reads Terrell’s “professionalism, technical expertise, and selfless service were essential factors in the COBRA (Chemical, Ordnance, Biological and Radiological) Training Facility receiving numerous accolades for the execution of this exercise. Ms. Terrell’s comprehensive knowledge and attention to detail on every aspect of this exercise were instrumental in the team’s outstanding performance. Ms. Terrell set a high standard for future emergency response exercises to come. Ms. Terrell’s performance is in keeping with the finest traditions of civilian service and reflects great credit upon herself, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the 20th CBRNE Command, and the U.S. Army.”

Terrell joined the CDP team in 2002 as a chemist. She has been the center’s chemical surety officer since 2020. In that role, she ensures chemical agents and other toxic materials the CDP uses are managed safety and securely.

“This was an unexpected honor,” said Terrell. “I’m proud of the work I do every day, supporting training the CDP provides to first responders across our nation, and it was a privilege to be able to partner with the 20th CBRNE Command to build a complex training exercise for us and the Army. I want to recognize everyone at the CDP who supported the exercise, it took a team effort to make this happen.”