The Captain Merrill Bone Award honors the memory and legacy of Captain Merrill Bone, a significant figure in the US&R and Medical Special Operations community. Captain Bone was instrumental in the development and success of the US&R Utah Task Force 1 and the FEMA Incident Support Team, and he responded to numerous disasters, including the World Trade Center collapse on September 11, 2001. Known for his dedication, teaching, and development of courses and guidelines, Merrill was beloved for his larger-than-life personality and his impactful sayings, known as “Merrill-isms.”

The award is given to individuals who embody Captain Bone’s values of selflessness, dedication, and commitment to both their career and community.