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2008 On-Scene Coordinator Excellence in Community Involvement Award
Barnes Johnson, Deputy Director, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation; Granta Nakayama, Assistant Administrator, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance; Warren Dixon, 2008 OSC Excellence in Community Involvement Award winner; Susan Parker Bodine, Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response; and Jimmy Palmer, EPA Regional Administrator of Region 4.
The On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Excellence in Community Involvement Award was presented to Warren Dixon on May 20, 2008 at the EPA National Notable Achievement Awards Ceremony. He was presented this award for the work he has done throughout his career to effectively engage communities in the clean up of sites, and to address community concerns. Mr. Dixon’s approach to his work is that the resident’s issues and needs are his top priority. He believes it is imperative that the OSC take the time to understand the residents’ fears, needs, and desires, and to address their concerns throughout the site cleanup.
Commitment, a willingness to put others before himself, the desire to make a difference, and consistently giving more than he receives are all attributes of Warren Dixon. Mr. Dixon is the longest serving OSC in the Superfund Program at the US EPA. Mr. Dixon started his federal service over 37 years ago when he enlisted in the military. After serving in the military, he decided to pursue his education. In 1976, he started working at EPA as a part-time employee while attending school, and he began his career his as an OSC in 1979.
Mr. Dixon has worked on over a hundred emergency response sites and countless Superfund sites. One of his most challenging projects was the removal action at the Tin Products site in Lexington, SC. The State had ordered this site to close down. When Mr. Dixon began work at the site, there were uncontained flammable and explosive materials throughout the facility that could have blown up and damaged the surrounding communities. Over the next 18 months, Mr. Dixon, two former Tin Products’ employees, and contractors worked together to clean up the site while making sure to prevent any fire incidents.
Giving back to the community and helping youth are dear to Mr. Dixon. He is an active board member of the 100% Wrong Club, which is the oldest sport club in the country. The club, which began in 1934, is the only organization that is dedicated to honoring athletes from Historical Black Colleges and Universities. In addition, the club supports and mentors high school athletes, offers scholarships, and works with disadvantaged youth. In February 2009, the 100% Wrong Club will be celebrating its 75th anniversary.
Region 4 Superfund Division Director, Franklin E. Hill, describes Mr. Dixon as the "ideal employee." Mr. Dixon not only does his job well, but he is also an employee who represents the Agency, his supervisors, and himself well, and gains the respect of community residents, political officials, peers and colleagues. Thanks to the conscientious efforts of Mr. Dixon, the concerns of citizens have been addressed across Region 4.
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