Henson awarded Gold Award

A Monee Emergency Management Agency duty officer is being lauded for her decisive actions that led to the quick rescue of a missing man last month.

EMA shining star Tracey Henson’s “keen instincts and effective coordination were pivotal in the search operation for a person who had been missing for several hours.”

Henson was given a Gold Award from the Presidential Volunteer Council in June, after serving 1,192 hours as an EMA volunteer last year. To earn a Lifetime Achievement Award, an EMA staff member must serve 4,000 hours. 

Monee EMA Director Randy Ulaskas praised her, saying, “She accomplished more than 25 percent of the Lifetime Achievement Award in one year. That’s awesome. That’s truly amazing.”

Last month, Henson was serving as the weekend duty officer when Monee Police were called with a report for a missing person.

According to a press release from Ulaskas, she quickly connected with MPD to gather critical information, secured the official missing person form, and promptly disseminated a photo of him.

“This crucial initial step ensured all responders knew exactly who they were looking for, enabling the establishment of an effective search grid,” the release added.

With changing weather conditions and heavy rain approaching, seven EMA volunteers launched a rapid vehicle search.

Time was of the essence because of the missing person’s prolonged exposure without hydration.

Henson, who also serves as EMA’s Search and Rescue Coordinator, believed the individual would most likely be in the Country Meadows subdivision.

Her assessment proved to be accurate and, at 12:28 p.m., just an hour after the search began, the man was found safely nestled under a bush seeking shelter from the rain in Country Meadows.

“Tracey’s quick, calm actions should be commended,” Ulaskas said, “as she averted what could have been a very different outcome.

“Instead, her calculated decision-making and leadership ensured the individual would be returned unharmed to his loving family.”

This marks the second successful missing person recovery for Monee EMA within the past seven years, “testament to the agency’s commitment to rigorous training, strategic equipment acquisition, robust communication, and seamless joint operation with the Monee Police Department.”

“An operation like this can easily be more successful if it is set in the right direction from the onset,” Ulaskas said, “and Duty Officer Henson did just that. Tracey’s fast actions set the positive outcome into motion.”

In recognition of their outstanding efforts, the entire responding EMA team will receive an Outstanding Call Award at the annual dinner early next year.

Henson also will receive an Outstanding Duty Officer Award “for her exceptional leadership and instrumental role in this successful operation.”