National Disaster and Emergency Management Community Highlights Excellence in Readiness and Leadership
COLUMBUS, OH / ACCESS Newswire / November 19, 2025 / At a time when emergencies are becoming more frequent, more complex, and more unpredictable, America depends on highly trained professionals who can lead with clarity under pressure. Hurricanes, wildfires, public health emergencies, and large-scale national disruptions have become defining challenges of the modern era. In this climate, preparedness is no longer optional-it is a necessity. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its national training programs, continues to serve as the backbone of that preparedness movement. This week, FEMA officially recognized Andrew Bartnikowski with a Certificate of Achievement for completing the IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS) course of the agency's most foundational and widely adopted emergency management programs.
The certificate is more than a formal credential; it represents a commitment to national readiness. And for those familiar with Bartnikowski's career, this recognition is no surprise. It is simply the latest chapter in a lifetime of service defined by leadership, technical mastery, and dedication to protecting others.
NIMS: A Framework for a More Prepared Nation
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is the gold standard for emergency coordination. Far from being a simple training module, NIMS is the structure that ensures firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency managers, hospitals, nonprofits, and even private-sector partners can communicate and collaborate during crisis events-regardless of the incident's size.
In an era where a local emergency can escalate into a multi-jurisdictional disaster within minutes, NIMS provides the common language and operational backbone that keep responses aligned. IS-700.a introduces responders to this system, reinforcing the principles that guide unified command, information sharing, resource allocation, and interagency cooperation.
By completing this training, Andrew Bartnikowski not only demonstrates technical proficiency, but also embraces the mindset of national resilience where every action, every protocol, and every decision contributes to a collective safeguarding of communities.
A Recognition That Reflects a Lifetime of Service
FEMA's Certificate of Achievement may be framed as an academic milestone, but it represents something deeper: discipline, readiness, and a willingness to step forward when others step back. For Andrew Bartnikowski, these qualities have defined more than two decades of service across both the public and private sectors.
With more than 20 years of combined experience in emergency management, financial planning, training, and program leadership, Bartnikowski stands as a model of the modern emergency professional,adaptable, analytical, and relentlessly dedicated to improving systems and outcomes.
Since 2012, Andrew has served with the City of Columbus Division of Fire, one of the busiest fire departments in the Midwest. Before that, he served in Worthington, OH, and Bluffton Township, SC. Across these roles he has responded to more than 10,000 emergency incidents, ranging from medical crises to structural fires to multi-agency disaster responses.
In each scenario, he has been known for the same qualities: calm decision-making, strategic foresight, and the ability to safeguard patient outcomes under pressure.
Opinion: Why FEMA's Recognition Matters More Than Ever
In an age dominated by technology and rapid innovation, many Americans underestimate the importance of disciplined emergency management training. But the truth is clear: disasters are not prevented by technology, they are mitigated by people. People who make rapid assessments, who protect the vulnerable, who coordinate teams, who act with integrity and clarity even when conditions are chaotic.
FEMA's Independent Study Program, and recognitions such as the one awarded to Bartnikowski, symbolize something our nation needs more of: a culture of preparedness.
The completion of NIMS training is not just a personal credential. It is a public promise. It means that someone is ready to collaborate, ready to lead, and ready to protect their community when it matters most. And it means that when uncertainty strikes, as it inevitably will, we have trained professionals standing between crisis and catastrophe.
At a time when the nation faces unprecedented emergency challenges, the importance of individuals like Andrew Bartnikowski cannot be overstated.
A Career Defined by Leadership Beyond the Fireground
Beyond emergency response, Bartnikowski has played an instrumental role in shaping policy, strengthening safety protocols, and investing in the next generation of first responders.
As a Firefighter Academy Instructor, he has trained recruits in live fire scenarios, emergency response, CPR, and fire prevention. His leadership in designing a multi-alarm fire simulation provided actionable insights that improved department-wide preparedness.
As a Union Labor Steward and Negotiation Committee Member, Andrew represented firefighters in administrative investigations, contributed to departmental committees including Health & Safety and Emergency Medical Services and helped negotiate a landmark $300 million labor contract that balanced operational needs with workforce protections.
As a Minority Recruitment Liaison, he helped expand diversity and representation across the department. As a Peer Support Liaison, he supported firefighter mental health, a critical but often overlooked area of first responder wellness.
Service Beyond the Badge: The Class 12/10/12 Foundation
Perhaps one of the most profound markers of Andrew's character is his commitment to supporting fellow firefighters and their families. As founder of the Class 12/10/12 Foundation, he has raised over $150,000 to support families of injured or fallen firefighters and to address the national crisis of first responder suicide.
His work acknowledges something the public rarely sees: behind every emergency call is a human being carrying the emotional weight of trauma, loss, and high-stakes responsibility. Through his foundation, Andrew offers both financial and emotional support to those who serve.
Certifications, Education, and Professional Affiliations
Andrew holds a BS in Resource Management from The Ohio State University and maintains certifications in:
Paramedicine
Fire Instruction
HAZMAT
Rope Rescue
And multiple other specialized emergency disciplines
He is affiliated with:
International Association of Fire Fighters
Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters
Ohio State University Alumni Association
A Model of Modern Preparedness
FEMA's recognition of Andrew Bartnikowski is more than an award, it is a reflection of a national need. Communities require individuals who understand crisis, who embrace training, and who are committed to lifelong learning in service of others.
As emergencies grow in scale and unpredictability, Andrew represents the type of responder America relies upon: skilled, disciplined, compassionate, and unrelentingly committed to preparedness.
His achievement is not just a milestone, it is a reminder that readiness saves lives.
Contact:
Name: Andrew Bartnikowski
Location: Columbus, Ohio
bartnikowski@andrewbartnikowski.com
https://andrewbartnikowski.com/
SOURCE: Andrew Bartnikowski
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire