UPDATE / Oct. 18Â – Â Members of the Naperville Fire Department were recognized Thursday evening for going beyond the call of duty during the annual Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) Awards Dinner in the Pavilion at Meson Sabika, held during Fire Prevention Month.
When family, friends, fellow firefighters and members of the NFD arrived for the festivities, they were greeted by volunteers from the city’s emergency management agency as well as an exhibit of  special vehicles and equipment to show the city’s preparedness to protect against, respond to and recover from natural and man-made incidents and other emergencies.
As darkness arrived, flood lights extended high into the trees to illuminate the parking lot, demonstrating the city’s capability to cover an area in the event of emergency, even in the dead of night.
2013 CAPS Award Recipients
The CAPS Dinner included special recognition by the Naperville Fire Chief, Â the Citizens Appreciate Public Safety Board of Directors via nominations from the community as well as the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.
John Maroney and Catherine Oliver each were honored to receive a “Fire Chief’s Citizen Award” from Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis.
Members of Citizens Appreciate Public Safety named Benjamin Bezaire, William Kostelny, Michael Dudley, Garth Kennedy, Joel Fox and Kevin Sashko as recipients of 2013 CAPS Awards.
CAPS board member Terry Klein presented Lieutenant Charles Dunning with the Board of Fire and Police Commissioner’s Award.
Throughout the year, members of the community are encouraged to nominate members of the Naperville Fire Department to receive CAPS Awards for their exceptional public service that keeps this community safe.
For more information about CAPS, visit www.napervillecaps.com.
PN appreciates photographer Jim Hoch for taking photos at this year’s event and sending his link for posting here.  View his gallery of photos from last night’s dinner as well as many other events related to the Naperville Fire Department online at  http://jameshochphotography.smugmug.com/NapervilleFireDepartment.
Citizens Appreciate Public Safety
Members of Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) have announced that the 2013 CAPS Awards Dinner to recognize the Naperville Fire Department will begin at 6PM on Thursday, Oct. 17, at Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave.
As has become tradition, this year’s family-oriented event will include a showcase of Naperville Fire and Police Department vehicles, equipment and personnel outside the restaurant as guests arrive, followed by dinner and an awards presentation.
Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS), currently under the leadership of Ron Davidson, is a Naperville community group that recognizes public safety personnel for their contributions to the City. Each year, Naperville residents are asked to nominate public safety employees who have displayed an interest in Naperville’s residents in a manner above and beyond the call of duty and exhibited a genuine concern for the welfare and well-being of all Naperville citizens.
Organizers also announced that that College of DuPage Homeland Security Training Institute is a co-sponsor of the dinner.
“College of DuPage is on the forefront of first-responder training at both the local and regional levels,” said Joe Cassidy, College of DuPage Dean of Continuing Education/Extended Learning. “Support of this event, which recognizes excellence in service from our area police and firefighters, is a natural extension of the College’s commitment to providing the highest-level training for these dedicated men and women.”
A limited number of tickets will be sold to the public for $20 each and may be purchased at the Police Department at 1380 Aurora Ave. by contacting Ruthi at (630) 305-5900.
For more information, visit www.napervillecaps.com.
RELATED POSTS SAVED IN PN ARCHIVES: Naperville Fire Department / History of the NFD Ahrens-Fox
NOTE: A similar event is held annually in the spring to recognize members of the Naperville Police Department who also go beyond the call of duty. Thanks to all first responders.
