CHIEF JOHN M. EVERSOLE ENDOWMENT FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONDERS

In 2007, YLD created the John M. Eversole endowment with the generous support of family, friends, hazardous materials professional associations, and corporations from across the United States. The Endowment supports awards and scholarships designated specifically for members of the hazardous materials response community.

Throughout his career Chief Eversole was a giver, and mentored a significant number of people in the emergency response world. He served his entire career with the Chicago Fire Department, rising through the ranks from firefighter to Chief of Special Operations. He was the founder of the department’s Hazardous Materials Response Unit and was widely respected as a leader, innovator, and proponent of firefighter and hazmat responder safety issues.

As Chairman of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Hazardous Materials Committee, he frequently testified before Congress on Homeland Security and firefighter safety issues. He was an original member of NFPA-472 (HazMat / WMD Response Technical Committee) and served as Chairman for over 10 years.