Fitch & Associates, one of the world’s largest and most respected emergency-services consulting firms, recently announced that it has named Norris W. Croom III as the winner of the Pinnacle Emerging Leadership Award
Awarded to a command-level candidate who is an emerging leader on the national emergency medical services scene, the Pinnacle Emerging Leadership Award is presented annually at Fitch & Associates’ Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum.
Croom, who serves as EMS deputy chief of Castle Rock (CO) Fire and Rescue Department (CRFR), was nominated for the award by peers and chosen by a committee evaluating select EMS and fire service leaders. “Deputy Chief Croom is being honored for tirelessly promoting teamwork, collaboration and cooperation among emergency responders regardless of organization type or affiliation,” said Jay Fitch, PhD, committee member and founder of Fitch & Associates.
“The nature of emergency response is unpredictable, complicated and highly stressful, often creating conflict among emergency organizations,” Fitch said. “It was Deputy Chief Croom’s simple yet profound philosophy of ‘Can’t we all just get along?’ that ultimately led the committee to choose him.”
In addition to passionately fostering EMS camaraderie, Deputy Chief Croom was instrumental in the development of an EMS Performance Improvement Program recognized on a state and national level, and a driving force behind cardiac and stroke care at CRFR, Fitch added. Croom is also active in the Emergency Medical Services Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
“He is a committed, dedicated leader, an invaluable resource on EMS,” said CRFR medical director Steve Heinz, MD. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
For more information, visit pinnacle-ems.com or fitchassoc.com.