Meet your 2023 Champaign Firefighters of the Year
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Three first responders are being recognized as the 2023 Firefighters of the Year in Champaign. Lieutenant Jon Jenkins, Engineer Alex Kocher, and Firefighter Brandon Helm were all recognized on Monday. No matter their job, their peers said they go above and beyond, earning the honor.
They all started down this path for different reasons.
“When I was little, I saw the fire trucks and police cars going all over the city and thought that’d be something I’d be interested in,” Kocher said.
Helm followed in the footsteps of his dad, and Lt. Jenkins started off volunteering.
They all play a crucial role in making sure you’re safe at home every day.
“When you can go and help somebody, and make things better, it’s a good feeling when you’re done,” Lt. Jenkins said.
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Helm knows he’s just doing his job, but the people around him know he’s going beyond just that.
“I’m not going to come in and just plop down in the recliner,” Helm said. “I’m going to be doing something to make sure I am the fireman that I want to show up at my house if I have an emergency.”
He said a class a few years ago changed his career and mindset. Each day, he remembers it’ll bring new challenges and new rewards.
Kocher has been with the department for eight years and enjoys the challenge that comes with it.
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“Every day is different, you never know what you’re going to get when you come to work,” he said.
At the end of the day, they’re all thankful and honored to get an award like this. They’re ready to keep working together and moving forward.
“When you work with people like that, it’s easy to be a good lieutenant,” Lt. Jenkins said. “You have very confident people below you.”
In years past, the chief has nominated the award recipient. Their peers choosing who won was new. All three said it means a lot, and they’re humbled others can look up to them in this way.
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