EVANSTON, ILLINOIS -On Tuesday, May 14, at noon, the Kiwanis Club of Evanston will present Firefighter Megan Kamarchevakul with the Public Safety Award at the Celtic Knot, 626 Church St., Evanston. This prestigious award recognizes an outstanding member of the department who, through commitment and dedication, exemplifies the department's core values of service, professionalism and tradition in serving the Evanston community.

Firefighter Kamarchevakul is a nine-year member of the Evanston Fire Department. She has served the department as an underwater rescue diver, as a member of the Surface Water Rescue Team, and as a shift EMS coordinator, where she was instrumental in implementing the department's Electronic Care Reporting (ePCR) platform

In addition to these roles, Kamarchevakul has led the Evanston Fire Explorers program, which teaches Evanston youth ages 14 to 20 with an interest in the fire service about being a firefighter/paramedic as well as important life skills, such as leadership and teamwork. The program meets twice a month at one of the five Evanston Fire stations, where students are taught the basic skills of firefighting and EMS. Much of the training is hands-on with supervision from instructors from within the department. Post meetings also include public service projects that help to promote the fire department.

"Firefighter Kamarchevakul has always been committed to serving others in meaningful and impactful ways. Her extensive work both within the department and in the community at large has really made a positive difference. The fact that Evanston’s Fire Explorer program is one of the best in the nation is in large part due to her hard work and leadership, “ said Fire Chief Brian Scott. “Congratulations to Megan on this well-deserved award."

For more information contact Division Chief Paul Polep at ppolep@cityofevanston.org