FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Army National Guard State Safety and Occupational Health Office won the 2025 Director of the Army National Guard State Safety Award of Excellence.
The Director of the Army National Guard State Safety Award of Excellence is presented to the Army National Guard State Safety Office that exhibits excellence in the overall safety culture within the state.
The award is a recognition of the State Safety Office’s efforts in maintaining a high standard of safety within the Army National Guard.
“While it’s a great honor to be recognized for excellence in our Safety and Occupational Health Program, the award really speaks to the teamwork across the entire Pennsylvania Army National Guard in maintaining a safe environment in which we train and work,” said Lt. Col. Deborah Fisher, safety and occupational health manager.
Members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard State Safety and Occupational Health Office who were instrumental in this achievement are 1st Sgt. Scott Cousins, safety and occupational health specialist; Ms. Rose Gushanas, industrial hygiene technician; Maj. Benjamin Gonzalez, chief Army National Guard safety office; and Sgt. 1st Class Chad Crawford, safety and occupational health specialist.
“The Safety and Occupational Health Office at Joint Force Headquarters issues policies, provides expertise and resources, and shares best practices, but it is the Soldiers and Employees throughout the Pennsylvania Army National Guard who execute the program and ensure that safety permeates everything they do," Fisher said. "We simply cannot preserve the force and achieve a high state of readiness without such a dedicated commitment from them. This award proves that everyone really is a Safety Officer."
The Safety and Occupational Health Office have made many significant achievements in the 2025 fiscal year, to include Significant decrease in Occupational Safety and Health Administration reportable Injuries. 91% reduction in lost workdays, 77% reduction in restricted workdays, and 30% reduction in total injuries; Completed 78 mishap investigations, with no Class A or Class B mishaps; and HQDA Worldwide Munitions Logistics/Surveillance/Explosive Safety Review. Conducted May. 12-16 Score: 90%, an increase of 13% since last assessment and 9% higher than FY24 Army National Guard Operations average.
This award was presented at the FY26 Army National Guard Safety Conference held Jan. 21-23 in Mobile, Alabama.