Joliet Fire Department Off To Washington, D.C. For National Award

(The following edited press release is from Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Joliet's director of communications and media engagement.)

JOLIET — The Joliet Fire Department will be honored at the 35th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner with the Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award. Sponsored by the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and Masimo, the award recognizes fire departments for outstanding achievements in the delivery of emergency medical services. It is considered the highest award in the fire service for leadership in emergency medical services.

The award will be presented at the 35th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on February 13th in Washington, DC. Over 1,200 state and national fire service officials will attend the event. In addition to award presentations, the program will feature speeches from leading federal fire service leaders, including members of Congress and Administration officials.

The Joliet Fire Department is being honored for its Community Mental Health Program that provides both prevention and awareness training for firefighters and rapid crisis intervention and cost-free definitive mental health services for the citizens involving a network of local mental health organizations. An important element of the program is the city of Joliet establishing a fund to cover the costs of the services not covered by insurance.

Since 2022, the program has provided rapid care to over 2,000 residents seeking treatment for mental illness or experiencing traumatic events.

The selection committee was comprised of representatives from the Congressional Fire Services Institute, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of FireFighters, International Fire Service Training Association, National Fire Protection Association, and the National Volunteer Fire Council. They reviewed applications from fire departments across the nation.

The event dinner will take place at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C. with an audience of 1,200 state and national fire and emergency services officials from across the nation.