Ohio EMA Executive Director Receives NEMA’s 2024 Suiter Award

(COLUMBUS, OH) - The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) announced that Sima Merick, Executive Director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, is the honored recipient of the 2024 Lacy E. Suiter Distinguished Service in Emergency Management Award. Merick was presented the award on the third of October, during NEMA's annual forum in Baltimore, MD.

The prestigious honor is presented annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions throughout his or her career to any or all facets of emergency management. This includes the areas of preparedness, mitigation, response, or recovery at a local, state, regional, or national level. The career accomplishments should be of unusual merit.

A nearly 40-year veteran of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ms. Merick was appointment Executive Director for the Ohio Emergency Management Agency in 2015. Merick has led the state through numerous disasters - both natural and human-caused.

Merick presently serves as Chair of the Utilities Radiological Safety Board, an Executive Committee Member of the State Interoperable Emergency Communications Committee, a member of the Ohio Homeland Security Advisory Council, and co-chair of the State Emergency Response Commission. She is an active member of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) where she has served on numerous committees including two terms as President during the COVID outbreak response.

Executive Director Merick has been called upon to testify in front of federal lawmakers on multiple occasions, including:

• In May of 2019, she testified on behalf of NEMA to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee - Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management on Disaster Preparedness: DRRA Implementation and FEMA Readiness.
• In September of 2021, as President of the National Emergency Management Association, she testified on behalf of NEMA to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on addressing the threats of worsening natural disasters.

An acknowledged national leader among her peers at local, state and federal emergency management agencies, Ms. Merick is often sought out for her expertise and knowledge in program and grant administration. Within the agency, she is sought after as a sounding board and mentor for junior staff.