Every day, Kane County first responders answer the many calls for assistance in response to local emergencies and disasters, but when an incident exceeds the capabilities of local first responders they call on the volunteers from the Kane County Office of Emergency Management to help render aid.

OEM volunteers give of their time and talents, sometimes leaving their families during holiday gatherings, to help protect Kane County residents and insure their safety. This year, 17 volunteers from the Office of Emergency Management have earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes citizens who have achieved the required number of hours of volunteer service. Awards are issued for volunteer service hours measured over a 12-month period and awards are designated based on cumulative hours. The awards are offered in multiple levels and are designed to recognize each milestone of a volunteer’s service achievement. Levels include bronze (100 to 249 hours), silver (250 to 499 hours) and gold (500-plus hours).

Below is a list of the 2015 President’s Volunteer Service Award recipients:

 About the President’s Volunteer Service Award

Now, more than ever, service is necessary to tackle the most pressing issues of our times, and Americans are accepting the challenge. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes, celebrates and inspires community service leaders and volunteers to lead the charge.

It’s our goal to encourage more individuals to embody the spirit of volunteerism that makes this country so great. Through PVSA, Americans of all ages – from youth to seniors – are invited to participate and be recognized by our nation’s president for being active citizens.

PVSA was started by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in 2003 as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by example, inspired others to engage in volunteer service. The Council no longer exists, but the program continues as an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

SOURCE: presidentialserviceawards.gov

About the Kane County Office of Emergency Management

The Kane County Office of Emergency Management  supports a regional all-hazard approach to disaster management and Homeland Security through the coordination of programs that promote community planning, increase public awareness, and develop effective mitigation, response and recovery strategie. For more information, visit the OEM web page and the Kane County Office of Emergency Management Facebook page.