photo by: Taylor Mah/City of Lawrence

Ruth DeWitt, director of community relations at eXplore Lawrence, receives the 2026 Individual Preparedness Partner Award on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

The Lawrence Police Department and a leader of eXplore Lawrence have been recognized for their outstanding leadership, collaboration and commitment to strengthening the community’s emergency preparedness and resilience.

This year, the 2026 Preparedness Partner Awards recognized one individual – Ruth DeWitt, director of community relations at eXplore Lawrence – and an organization, the LPD, for their ability to help Douglas County prevent, prepare for and respond/recover from emergencies. These were awarded by the Douglas County Local Emergency Planning Committee on Wednesday, according to a press release from Douglas County.

DeWitt received the award for her leadership in preparing Lawrence and Douglas County to be a base camp for a team participating in the FIFA World Cup. The release said under DeWitt’s leadership, eXplore Lawrence has incorporated public preparedness messaging into community events, promoted severe weather awareness and human trafficking prevention.

She has also coordinated with local, state and federal partners to support safety planning for downtown events and World Cup activities.

“Ruth’s leadership demonstrates that preparedness is built through relationships, collaboration and thoughtful planning,” Robert Bieniecki, director of Douglas County Emergency Management, said in the release. “The partnerships developed over the past two years have positioned our community to successfully host one of the world’s largest sporting events while leaving a lasting legacy of collaboration and preparedness.”

DeWitt convened the first planning meeting in September 2024 that would evolve into the Score Lawrence World Cup Unified Command. Since then, she has served as a Unified Command leader and director of the Culture & Experiences branch.

photo by: Taylor Mah/City of Lawrence

The Lawrence Police Department receives the 2026 Organizational Preparedness Partner Award on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

LPD was recognized for its commitment to community preparedness and public safety. The release said that by coordinating local, regional and state law enforcement partners, the department ensures the community is prepared for large-scale celebrations while continually evaluating and improving operational plans.

LPD has been a leader within the Score Lawrence World Cup Unified Command Safety & Security branch, coordinating with regional, federal and international partners to develop comprehensive security plans for the Algerian National Football Team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“The Lawrence Police Department exemplifies what preparedness looks like,” Bieniecki said in the release. “Their commitment to planning, training, partnerships and continuous improvement helps ensure our community is ready for both everyday challenges and extraordinary events.”