Awards Committee

George Nelson, Trustee

H. James McGill, Commissioner

Robert Tinucci, Chief Administrator

Kathy Trapp, Administrative Assistant

FF/PM Erik Baran

FF/PM Jennifer Phillips

Personnel Service Awards

5 Years

Bob Klein, Trustee

Leo Rasp, Commissioner

15 Years

H. James McGill, Commissioner

FF/PM Seth Dale

FF/PM Richard Sanborn

FF Joe Wolski

20 Years

Lt. Valerie Feld

Lt. Thomas Mahn

25 Years

Richard Chochola

Good Samaritan Service Awards

10 Years

FF/PM Steve Gorsky

15 Years

Lt. Mark Cooper

FF/PM Richard Sanborn

FF/PM Carl Witt

20 Years

FF Joseph Molinari

25 Years

Lt. Steve Porter

Certifications Attained

Lt. Mark Cooper - Fire Officer 2

B/C Patrick Foley - Vehicle & Machinery Operations

FF Bill Geary - Firefighter III

FF/PM Vince Graham - Fire Service Vehicle Operator

FF/PM Anthony Hatcher - Hazardous Materials Technician B & Instructor I

FF Jim Hobbs - Fire Service Vehicle Operator, Vehicle & Machinery Operations

FF/PM Rytis Juzolenas - Paramedic License

Lt. Jim Karasek - Instructor 2, Fire Officer 2 Provisional & Juvenile Fire Intervention Specialist

FF/PM Keith Kaschub - Firefighter III

Lt. Dave Lambright - Incident Safety Officer

FF/PM Darren Lino - Fire Apparatus Engineer & Hazardous Materials Operations

FF/PM Mike Modjeski - Fire Apparatus Engineer, Hazardous Materials Operations & Firefighter III

FF/PM Vince Phillips - Fire Officer I Provisional & Instructor I

FF Mark Wojan - Technical Rescue Awareness, Firefighter II & Hazardous Material Awareness

B/C Jay Worden - Certified Fire Investigator

Retirements

B/C Novy

Lt. John Eeten

Capt. Edward Mazurowski

Engineer Dan Huemmer

Award of Commendation

This award may be presented to a civilian or public service professional outside of the Darien-Woodridge Fire District.  The act performed must have been of unusual character requiring initiative or ability worthy of special recognition.

This Award of Commendation is presented to Pamela and Robert Brandt for their observant manner and actions on November 29, 2006, reporting a presence of smoke coming from their neighbors house at 8975 Coppergate Road, Woodridge.  Their actions prompted our response to this confirmed house fire and prevented a major fire loss.  Their alert and prompt actions warrant this Award of Commendation.

This Award of Commendation is presented to Nick Kaiser for his heroic actions to assist a motorist on Interstate 55, on August 8, 2006.  This incident involved a male driver experiencing a seizure who struck the cement median and continued along the median uncontrolled, unable to stop the car.  Truck driver Nick Kaiser stopped his truck to block traffic and ran along the car, broke the window and gained entry to stop the car.  He continued to assist the patient until our crews arrived.  These heroic actions are most deserving of this Award of Commendation.

Award of Merit

This award may be presented to any active member of the Fire District who has performed an act(s) of unusual character requiring initiative or ability worthy of special recognition.

This award is presented to the crew members for this unusual emergency child birth that required non-routine measures.  Crews were called to the Home Depot store to be confronted by a women who had just delivered her baby.  The newborn was lodged in the women's pant leg.  Crews moved the patient and baby to the ambulance and provided standard newborn procedures.  Mom and baby were fine with no further problems in transport.  The medics attending both patients had experienced their first emergency childbirth and conducted themselves with exceptional professionalism.  The unique circumstances of this call warrants this Award of Merit.

FF Matthew Duffy

FF/PM Mike Modjeski

FF/PM Rytis Juzolenas

Fire Chief's Citation

To entitle a member or unit(s) to be considered for this citation, the act performed must have been of unusual character requiring initiative or ability worthy of special recognition.  Such person(s) shall receive a citation from the Fire Chief.

This Fire Chief's Citation Award is presented to B/C Jay Worden for his successful completion of the required coursework, formal education, practical experience (field and court room testimony) and passing the extensive examination to become a Certified Fire Investigator as recognized by the International Association of Arson Investigators.  Jay is to be commended for his extensive preparation in attaining this unique, first ever certification for the District.

Employee of the Year

Nominations for this award are made by fellow employees.  This award may be presented to any active member of the Fire District who has exceeded the expectations of their fellow employees.  To be considered for this award, an employee must have demonstrated outstanding merit and/or performance throughout the previous year.  This can include, but is not limited to, exceptional community involvement, enhancing the development of the District, continual professional development or commitment to their job.

This award is presented to Kelly Wojan, as nominated by fellow employees and judged to be the most deserving.  Kelly has been cited to be extremely dedicated and hard working, handling an array of duties in her role as Secretary-Receptionist.  She coordinates all Public Education events and is responsible for the original design and maintenance of the District's web site.  In addition, she coordinates SUFD Maintenance purchase orders and billing.  Kelly is very capable in handling multiple tasks and known to be always warm and friendly in her manner.  It is for these characteristics and actions that Kelly Wojan has been selected "Employee of the Year" for 2006.