Guthrie Fire Chief Eric Harlow was recognized for his dedicated commitment to keeping the public informed with the 2017 Ben Frizzell Memorial Award. The citation was presented by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) during Wednesday’s emergency management awards banquet. The award recognizes an individual who provides outstanding service in the area of emergency management public information.
Harlow, who was nominated by Logan County Emergency Manager David Ball, was humbled by the honor.
“I’m very humbled and surprised to be receiving this award,” Harlow told the banquet room full of emergency responders throughout the state.
Harlow shared how he got his start in public safety at the age of 16 thanks to former Lincoln County Emergency Manager Ben Springfield.
“I owe him a lot.”
Harlow, who in 2011 arrived in Guthrie, has been the public figure for some of the toughest times the city and county has faced with natural disasters. Just two months on the job, a tornado ripped through the county.
“He exudes confidence and knowledge of the situation while addressing the media. It puts everyone at ease knowing the disaster event is in capable hands,” Oak Cliff Fire Chief Tim Townsend said in a nomination letter.
Ball says Harlow has been able to build creditability and a strong reputation with both local and state media.
The Ben Frizzell Memorial Award is presented in honor of the late OEM PIO who served the agency from 1995 to 2000.
Congrats Eric. You make the COG proud for the job you do. Thanks for all you do.