Minneapolis, MN -- Nechama volunteer and board member Gene Borochoff was awarded the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award at the 38th Annual Governor’s Emergency Management Conference held over three days at the Radisson Hotel South. The Emergency Management Awards of Excellence are given to individuals and organizations that exemplify the purpose of emergency management: to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Gene was recognized for going the “extra mile” and exhibiting outstanding efforts to provide support and assistant to victims, fellow responders, and the citizens of Minnesota. Gene was presented the award by Jerry Rosendahl, Director, Division of Emergency Management for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Rosendahl stated that Gene and the Nechama organization are “a leading force in the volunteer response network that works tirelessly to provide assistance and equipment to disaster affected residence across Minnesota. Nechama was responsible for many weeks of volunteer assistance and multiple trips to Warroad, Roseau, Mahnomen, and Wright County”. Some 400 people attended the Conference and were present at the awards ceremony. Participants came from various departments within public safety including, county emergency managers, fire, police, paramedic, animal control, natural disaster planning, hazardous materials, weather service, and pollution control. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the Department of Homeland Security were also represented.

Gene Borochoff has been an active member of Nechama since 1997 and has led hundreds of volunteers in disaster preparation and cleanup throughout Minnesota and surrounding region. He is recognized as always being out front and first to the scene whenever a disaster occurs.