Naperville CAPS News
2024 Fire Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony to honor the members of the Naperville Fire Department is available for viewing through our partnership with NCTV17. The full ceremony is available online here.
2024 Police Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony to honor the members of the Naperville Police Department is available for viewing through our partnership with NCTV17. The full ceremony is available online here.
Cardiac Conscious Community
CAPS is a participating sponsor for helping Naperville become a Cardiac Conscious Community! Read the official press release:
www.naperville.il.us/2024-news-articles/partnership-for-heart-safety-naperville-groups-offer-discounted-aeds-and-training-to-businesses/
www.naperville.il.us/2024-news-articles/partnership-for-heart-safety-naperville-groups-offer-discounted-aeds-and-training-to-businesses/
2023 Fire Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony to honor the members of the Naperville Fire Department is available for viewing through our partnership with NCTV17. The full ceremony is available online.
2023 Police Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony to honor the members of the Naperville Police Department is available for viewing through our partnership with NCTV17. The full ceremony is available online.
Learn More About CAPS
Citizens Appreciate Public Safety in the Naperville community! Check us out!
2022 Fire Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony to honor the members of the Naperville Fire Department is available for viewing through our partnership with NCTV17. The full ceremony is below:
2022 Fire Awards Ceremony - Save the Date
Please save the date for the 2022 Fire Awards Ceremony. The annual event will be held on Thursday, October 27th, 2022 at 6:00PM at Meson Sabika in Naperville. Tickets will be on sale soon.
2022 Police Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony to honor the members of the Naperville Police Department is available for viewing through our partnership with NCTV17. The full ceremony is below.
Chief Jason Arres and CAPS Chairman Wes Wernette speak with NCTV17:
Save the Date! 2022 Police Awards Ceremony
The CAPS Board has set Thursday, May 19, 2022 for the Police Awards ceremony. The event will be held at Meson Sabika in Naperville, Illinois. More details will be released soon.
Nominations for exemplary work in the community are accepted throughout the year.
Nominations for exemplary work in the community are accepted throughout the year.
2021 Fire Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony to honor the members of the Naperville Fire Department is available for viewing through our partnership with NCTV17. The full ceremony is below.
2021 Police Awards Ceremony
Please join us for a virtual awards ceremony to honor the members of the Naperville Police Department.
2020 Fire Awards Ceremony
Please join us for a virtual awards ceremony to honor the members of the Naperville Fire Department. As our community responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to be challenged to be innovative in recognizing the exemplary work by our first responders.
Viewing Options for Police Awards Ceremony
If you missed the awards presentation, please view the recording below!
Police Awards Virtual Ceremony
Please join us on August 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. for a virtual awards ceremony to honor the members of the Naperville Police Department. As our community responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were challenged to be innovative in recognizing the exemplary work by our public safety.
We look forward to honoring several Officers this year. The virtual ceremony will be accessible, free of charge, on NC17-TV and online. Please consider making a donation to Citizens Appreciate Public Safety to support the ongoing efforts to appreciate our public safety members of the City of Naperville.
We look forward to honoring several Officers this year. The virtual ceremony will be accessible, free of charge, on NC17-TV and online. Please consider making a donation to Citizens Appreciate Public Safety to support the ongoing efforts to appreciate our public safety members of the City of Naperville.
Photographs Available Online Now!
Photos from the CAPS Awards honoring members of the Naperville Fire Department are available online. A special thanks to James Hoch Photography for capturing this incredible event. To view the images, please click here.
Photos from the CAPS Awards honoring members of the Naperville Fire Department are available online. A special thanks to James Hoch Photography for capturing this incredible event. To view the images, please click here.
Deputy Chief Amy Scheller and CAPS Chairman Wes Wernette speak with NCTV17:
NOMINATE Outstanding Acts of Service from NFD Personnel at www.napervillecaps.com/nominate; Attend Awards Event 10/24/2019 at Meson Sabika.
Nominate Outstanding Acts Of Service by Naperville Police Department Personnel for CAPS Awards
Naperville, IL (February 20, 2019) -- Have you experienced outstanding service by an employee of the Naperville Police Department or 911 Telecommunications?
Honor and thank those exceptional first responders by submitting a nomination for a 2019 CAPS Award!
NOMINATIONS:
Nominations from the public are strongly encouraged and welcomed! Any act of outstanding service and/or display of genuine concern for the welfare and well-being of any Naperville resident, even those occurring off-duty, by an employee of the Naperville Police Department can be made by submitting digitally at www.napervillecaps.com/nominate or via email to [email protected].
AWARDS EVENT:
The Board of Directors of Naperville Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) proudly invite the public to attend the semi-annual Awards & Recognition Dinner event at Meson Sabika (1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville; 630-983-3000) on Thursday, May 16, beginning at 6:00pm.
This family-friendly event will honor Naperville Police Department personnel going above and beyond the call of duty via nominations from the community as well as from within the NPD. Department awards will also be presented. Emergency response vehicles will be on display at the venue for attendees to see and learn about.
The CAPS NPD Recognition event is open to all members of the community. Tickets are $35 per person and may be purchased online at www.napervillecaps.com/events, at the Naperville Police Department (1350 Aurora Avenue) between 8am-4pm daily, or by contacting Jill Bridges at 630-420-6161.
CAPS is a group of Naperville community members, assembled to formally recognize the contributions to the City and its citizens by public safety personnel; via an event each fall honoring the Naperville Fire Department and an event each spring honoring the Naperville Police Department.
More information about CAPS Nominations, the CAPS Awards event, and Public Safety Plaza Commemorative Brick Program can be found on the CAPS website (napervillecaps.com), the City of Naperville website (www.naperville.il.us/caps.aspx), and on social media at @NaperIL_CAPS, facebook.com/NapervilleCAPS, and youtube.com/user/OfficialNapervilleIL.
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Nominate Outstanding Service from Naperville Fire Department and Attend CAPS Public Safety Awards Set For October 18
Naperville, IL (September 12, 2018) -- The Board of Directors of Naperville Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) proudly invite the public to attend the semi-annual Awards & Recognition Dinner event at Meson Sabika (1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville; 630-983-3000) on Thursday, October 18, beginning at 6:00pm.
This family-oriented event will honor outstanding service by Naperville Fire Department personnel via nominations from the community. Department awards will also be presented. Emergency response vehicles will be at the venue, on display for attendees to see and learn about.
The CAPS NFD Recognition Dinner event honoring the Naperville Fire Department is open to all members of the community. Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased via www.napervillecaps.com, or at the Naperville Fire Department (1350 Aurora Avenue) between 8am-4pm daily or by contacting Ruthi Sommers at 630-420-6142.
Nominations from the public are strongly encouraged and welcomed! Nominations for outstanding service by an employee of the Naperville Fire Department can be made by submitting digitally at www.napervillecaps.com/nominate or via email to [email protected].
CAPS is a group of Naperville community members, assembled to formally recognize and encourage the contributions to the City by public safety personnel; the Naperville Fire Department each fall and the Naperville Police Department each spring.
More information about CAPS Nominations, Awards event, and Commemorative Brick Program can be found on the CAPS website (napervillecaps.com), the City of Naperville website (www.naperville.il.us/caps.aspx), and on social media at @NaperIL_CAPS, www.facebook.com/NapervilleCAPS, and youtube.com/user/OfficialNapervilleIL.
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Nominate Outstanding Naperville Police Department service
and attend Naperville Public Safety Awards, Set For May 17
Naperville, IL (February 20, 2018) -- The Board of Directors of Naperville Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) proudly invite the public to attend the semi-annual Awards & Recognition Dinner event at Meson Sabika (1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville; 630-983-3000) on Thursday, May 17, beginning at 6:00pm.
This family-oriented event will honor outstanding service by Naperville Police Department personnel via nominations from the community. Department awards will also be presented, as will be the Pradel Award. Emergency response vehicles will be at the venue, on display for attendees to see and learn about.
The CAPS NPD Recognition Dinner event honoring the Naperville Police Department is open to all members of the community. Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased at the Naperville Police Department (1350 Aurora Avenue) between 8am-4pm daily or by contacting Jill Bridges at 630-420-6161.
Nominations from the public are strongly encouraged and welcomed! Nominations for outstanding service by an employee of the Naperville Police Department can be made by submitting digitally at www.napervillecaps.com/nominate or via email to [email protected].
CAPS is a group of Naperville community members, assembled to formally recognize and encourage the contributions to the City by public safety personnel; the Naperville Fire Department each fall and the Naperville Police Department each spring.
More information about CAPS Nominations, Awards event, and Commemorative Brick Program can be found on the CAPS website (napervillecaps.com), the City of Naperville website (www.naperville.il.us/caps.aspx), and on social media at @NaperIL_CAPS, facebook.com/NapervilleCAPS, and youtube.com/user/OfficialNapervilleIL.
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CAPS Accepting Fire Department Nominations through October 1, 2017
Award recipients will be honored at October 19 recognition dinner open to the public
NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The Naperville Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) board is currently accepting nominations from the community to recognize Naperville Fire Department personnel for outstanding service. Nominations are due by Sunday, October 1, and can be submitted by visiting www.napervillecaps.com.
CAPS is a non-profit community group that recognizes public safety personnel for their contributions to the City of Naperville. Each year, 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 citizens.
The CAPS board selects individuals from nominations submitted to receive awards during two events hosted annually, one in the spring for the Naperville Police Department and one in the fall for the Naperville Fire Department. Recognition for fire department personnel includes the George Winckler Award, a high honor presented to fire department employees who best exemplify the integrity, honesty, dedication and kindness of George Winckler, a beloved 26-year veteran of the Naperville Fire Department who passed away during a training exercise in 1991.
The CAPS Recognition Dinner honoring the Naperville Fire Department will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 19 at Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave. According to CAPS Chairman David Wentz “We invite the entire Naperville community to participate. Residents can nominate Fire Department personnel whom they feel should be considered for a CAPS award, and also attend the recognition dinner.”
Tickets are open to the public for $30 each and can be purchased at the Naperville Fire Department, 1380 Aurora Ave., or by calling Ruthi Sommers at (630) 305-5900.
For more information on CAPS, visit www.napervillecaps.com or www.naperville.il.us/caps.
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About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving City consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The City is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The City’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.
Award recipients will be honored at October 19 recognition dinner open to the public
NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The Naperville Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) board is currently accepting nominations from the community to recognize Naperville Fire Department personnel for outstanding service. Nominations are due by Sunday, October 1, and can be submitted by visiting www.napervillecaps.com.
CAPS is a non-profit community group that recognizes public safety personnel for their contributions to the City of Naperville. Each year, 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 citizens.
The CAPS board selects individuals from nominations submitted to receive awards during two events hosted annually, one in the spring for the Naperville Police Department and one in the fall for the Naperville Fire Department. Recognition for fire department personnel includes the George Winckler Award, a high honor presented to fire department employees who best exemplify the integrity, honesty, dedication and kindness of George Winckler, a beloved 26-year veteran of the Naperville Fire Department who passed away during a training exercise in 1991.
The CAPS Recognition Dinner honoring the Naperville Fire Department will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 19 at Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave. According to CAPS Chairman David Wentz “We invite the entire Naperville community to participate. Residents can nominate Fire Department personnel whom they feel should be considered for a CAPS award, and also attend the recognition dinner.”
Tickets are open to the public for $30 each and can be purchased at the Naperville Fire Department, 1380 Aurora Ave., or by calling Ruthi Sommers at (630) 305-5900.
For more information on CAPS, visit www.napervillecaps.com or www.naperville.il.us/caps.
# # #
About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving City consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The City is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The City’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.
Naperville Public Safety Awards Banquet Set For May 18, 2017
The Board of Directors of Naperville Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) proudly invite the public to attend the semi-annual Awards & Recognition Dinner event at Meson Sabika (1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville; 630-983-3000) on Thursday, May 18, beginning at 6:00pm.
This family-oriented event will honor outstanding service by Naperville Police Department personnel via nominations from the community. Department awards will also be presented, as will be the Pradel Award. Emergency response vehicles will be at the venue, on display for attendees to see and learn about.
The CAPS NPD Recognition Dinner event honoring the Naperville Police Department is open to all members of the community. Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased at the Naperville Police Department (1350 Aurora Avenue) between 8am-4pm daily or by contacting Melissa Rickenbaugh at 630-420-6672.
Nominations can be made by submitting digitally at www.napervillecaps.com/nominate or via email to [email protected].
CAPS is a group of Naperville community members, assembled to formally recognize and encourage the contributions to the City by public safety personnel; the Naperville Fire Department each fall and the Naperville Police Department each spring.
More information about CAPS Nominations, Awards event, and Commemorative Brick Program can be found on the CAPS website (napervillecaps.com), the City of Naperville website (www.naperville.il.us/caps.aspx), and on social media at @NaperIL_CAPS, facebook.com/NapervilleCAPS, and youtube.com/user/OfficialNapervilleIL.
The Board of Directors of Naperville Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) proudly invite the public to attend the semi-annual Awards & Recognition Dinner event at Meson Sabika (1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville; 630-983-3000) on Thursday, May 18, beginning at 6:00pm.
This family-oriented event will honor outstanding service by Naperville Police Department personnel via nominations from the community. Department awards will also be presented, as will be the Pradel Award. Emergency response vehicles will be at the venue, on display for attendees to see and learn about.
The CAPS NPD Recognition Dinner event honoring the Naperville Police Department is open to all members of the community. Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased at the Naperville Police Department (1350 Aurora Avenue) between 8am-4pm daily or by contacting Melissa Rickenbaugh at 630-420-6672.
Nominations can be made by submitting digitally at www.napervillecaps.com/nominate or via email to [email protected].
CAPS is a group of Naperville community members, assembled to formally recognize and encourage the contributions to the City by public safety personnel; the Naperville Fire Department each fall and the Naperville Police Department each spring.
More information about CAPS Nominations, Awards event, and Commemorative Brick Program can be found on the CAPS website (napervillecaps.com), the City of Naperville website (www.naperville.il.us/caps.aspx), and on social media at @NaperIL_CAPS, facebook.com/NapervilleCAPS, and youtube.com/user/OfficialNapervilleIL.
Naperville citizens are encouraged to submit CAPS Award nominations by September 30 and attend the CAPS Awards Banquet honoring the Naperville Fire Department on October 20:
http://www.naperville.il.us/news-articles/caps-accepting-fire-department-nominations-through-september-30/
http://www.naperville.il.us/news-articles/caps-accepting-fire-department-nominations-through-september-30/
2015 CAPS Awards Fire Department Recognition Ceremony
The 2015 CAPS Awards event in recognition of the Naperville Fire Department was a full house at Meson Sabika. CAPS Award winners were FPM Phillip Carmody, the Citizens' Fire Academy team of Public Education Specialist Soraya McLaughlin, BC Community Services George Hyland, BC Training Tom Moran, FPM Jacob DeMay, Division Chief Andy Dina, FPM Scott Howell, and Lt. Jim Kubinski. The George Winckler Award was presented to Soraya McLaughlin for her initiation, development, and growth of the Citizens' Fire Academy over the past 15 years. Special thanks to the Naperville Fire Department Honor Guard and Pipes & Drums for their performance and participation in presenting and recovering the colors.
Thank you to Naperville Community Television (NCTV17) for capturing the events of the evening, and for this summary:
https://vimeo.com/143412492
Thank you to Naperville Community Television (NCTV17) for capturing the events of the evening, and for this summary:
https://vimeo.com/143412492
Commemorative Brick Program: Open to the Public for Purchase!
Naperville CAPS is proud to offer commemorative, engraved bricks at the Public Safety Plaza (1350-1380 Aurora Avenue, between the Naperville Police Administration and the Naperville Fire Administration buildings). Residents, businesses, organizations, and members of the community are invited to purchase and customize bricks. Thanks to JR Landscaping and the City Of Naperville for the bricks and their installation!
Our kickoff event was a great success; many thanks to NCTV for being there to capture the information and events of the day!
VIDEO: http://www.nctv17.com/caps-commemorative-brick-program/
Our kickoff event was a great success; many thanks to NCTV for being there to capture the information and events of the day!
VIDEO: http://www.nctv17.com/caps-commemorative-brick-program/
2015 CAPS Awards Night - May 14
The Naperville CAPS board is accepting nominations from the
community recognizing Naperville Police Department personnel for outstanding
service. Nominations are due by Monday, April 20 and can be submitted by
visiting the link above.
The Police Department Recognition Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave. Space is limited and tickets are available for purchase for $25 at the Police Department, 1350 Aurora Ave., or by calling Pat Mason at (630) 420-6161.
The CAPS board selects individuals from nominations submitted to receive awards during two events hosted annually, one in the spring for the Police Department and one in the fall for the Fire Department. Recognition for police department personnel includes the George Pradel Award, a coveted award bestowed to a law enforcement officer whose performance epitomizes the heart and spirit of a public servant by going above and beyond in the delivery of service to the community.
The Police Department Recognition Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave. Space is limited and tickets are available for purchase for $25 at the Police Department, 1350 Aurora Ave., or by calling Pat Mason at (630) 420-6161.
The CAPS board selects individuals from nominations submitted to receive awards during two events hosted annually, one in the spring for the Police Department and one in the fall for the Fire Department. Recognition for police department personnel includes the George Pradel Award, a coveted award bestowed to a law enforcement officer whose performance epitomizes the heart and spirit of a public servant by going above and beyond in the delivery of service to the community.
Bezaire and Kostelny selected for Firefighter Medal of
Honor
Naperville Firefighter/Paramedics Benjamin Bezaire and William Kostelny will receive the Firefighter Medal of Honor for their dedicated work on Dec. 18, 2013, during the structure fire at 1212 Field Court.
Bezaire and Kostelny will received their awards during the 22nd Second Annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor Ceremony on May 12, 2015, in Springfield. The event will start at 10 a.m. at the Firefighter Memorial on the Illinois State Capitol Lawn (southwest corner of Statue Row) and continues in the Prairie Capital Convention Center.
Each year the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal recognizes firefighters from across the state who demonstrated acts of bravery and courage in addition to paying tribute to firefighters that died in the line of duty.
Naperville Firefighter/Paramedics Benjamin Bezaire and William Kostelny will receive the Firefighter Medal of Honor for their dedicated work on Dec. 18, 2013, during the structure fire at 1212 Field Court.
Bezaire and Kostelny will received their awards during the 22nd Second Annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor Ceremony on May 12, 2015, in Springfield. The event will start at 10 a.m. at the Firefighter Memorial on the Illinois State Capitol Lawn (southwest corner of Statue Row) and continues in the Prairie Capital Convention Center.
Each year the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal recognizes firefighters from across the state who demonstrated acts of bravery and courage in addition to paying tribute to firefighters that died in the line of duty.
Bezaire, Kostelny to be honored by The Hundred Club of DuPage County
Naperville Firefighter/Paramedics Benjamin Bezaire and William Kostelny were selected for the 2014 Award of Valor through The Hundred Club of DuPage County.
Bezaire and Kostelny were nominated by the DuPage Fire Chief’ Association for their efforts in response to a structure fire at 1212 Field Court on Dec. 18, 2013. They will be honored on Oct. 30 during The Hundred Club’s 32nd Annual Dinner and Awards Night at Lisle/Naperville Hilton.
This is the second consecutive year the Naperville fire department has been honored by The Hundred Club.
Naperville Firefighter/Paramedics Benjamin Bezaire and William Kostelny were selected for the 2014 Award of Valor through The Hundred Club of DuPage County.
Bezaire and Kostelny were nominated by the DuPage Fire Chief’ Association for their efforts in response to a structure fire at 1212 Field Court on Dec. 18, 2013. They will be honored on Oct. 30 during The Hundred Club’s 32nd Annual Dinner and Awards Night at Lisle/Naperville Hilton.
This is the second consecutive year the Naperville fire department has been honored by The Hundred Club.
Kudos - Published in the Naperville Magazine July 2013
Members of Naperville police honored for service - Published in the Naperville Sun, May 22, 2013
CAPS Event Honors Local Officers Going Beyond Call of Duty