Jasper County EMA Director named 2025 Iowa Hazmat Technician of the Year

Jasper County Emergency Management Director Jamey A. Robinson has been named the Hazmat Technician of the Year by the Iowa Hazmat Task Force, a statewide honor recognizing individuals for outstanding leadership and contributions to hazardous materials response.

Robinson received the award for his work in developing and securing Propane Flare and Response Kits for hazmat teams across Iowa. What began as a local effort to equip his own team with specialized propane response tools evolved into a statewide initiative, ensuring every Iowa Hazmat Team now receives a kit at no cost, thanks to a partnership with the Iowa Propane Gas Association.

This effort has even begun to attract national attention, with discussions underway to expand the program so responders across the country can receive similar equipment and training to handle propane emergencies safely.

With more than 15 years of experience as a Hazmat Technician, Robinson previously built a county hazmat response team in another jurisdiction before taking on his current role in Jasper County. Today, he continues to work closely with the Newton Fire Department, which provides hazmat services for the county, focusing on training, readiness, and equipment to ensure responders are prepared when needed.

“The Propane Response Kits fill a critical gap that our teams have faced for years,” Robinson said. “To see it come full circle — from an idea at the local level to something benefiting every hazmat team in Iowa — is truly humbling. I’m honored to receive this recognition, but the real success is what it means for responder safety and statewide preparedness.”

The propane response training, held in conjunction with the Iowa Hazmat Task Force Symposium last week in Newton, brought together hazmat professionals from across the state to enhance skills and share best practices in propane emergency response.