The Champaign Fire Department and the Champaign Exchange Club will honor the 2017 Firefighter of the Year recipient, Battalion Chief Gary Gula, on April 9, 2018. A ceremony will be held at O’Charley’s, 730 W. Town Center Blvd., from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Battalion Chief Gula has been nominated for his outstanding performance in creating and maintaining a far reaching cultural change in the department’s training program. He has and continues to work hard to implement new safety measures to create a safer training environment and thoroughly document training and personnel hours spent on training. He has utilized resources both in-house and abroad to bring a wide variety of training subjects and scenarios to the members of the department. His contribution to the department and the community exemplifies the giving, caring, and resourceful spirit of those serving in the Champaign Fire Department.
Media is welcome and encouraged to attend the ceremony. Media should contact Randy Smith at 217-403-7212 to confirm their attendance.