October is Fire Prevention month. Because of this, the Exchange Club of Naperville honors the Firefighter of the year in October. We do the same in June for the Police Officer of the Year.
Last year’s Firefighter of the Year was Scott Howell and the Police Officer of the Year was Marty Franken. These distinguished individuals were chosen by the Americanism Committee for what they do that fits into the mission followed by members of Exchange, a group of men and women working together to make our communities better places to live through service programs focused on Americanism, community, youth activities, and its national program—The Prevention of Child Abuse.
As Firefighter of the Year and as Police Officer of the Year, Scott and Marty had some specific duties to perform as part of this recognition. Both men served as official Rib Judges at the 2017 Ribfest and they rode in a convertible for the Last Fling Labor Day Parade.
The two public safety employees also accompanied Pat Shanower in laying of the wreath in memory of her son at the Cmdr. Dan Shanower / September 11 Memorial observance last month. These gentlemen carried out the duties with professionalism and grace.
This month, the Exchange Club will name a new Firefighter of the Year at their October 6 lunch meeting at Hugo’s Frog Pond. The Police Officer of the Year will be named in June 2018.
The Exchange Club meets on the first Friday of the month at 11:45am at Hugo’s Frog Pond. And the third Thursday at 5:30PM at Sullivan’s Steak House.