City Council Hears About Effingham FD SHARP Award, City Police Commendations At Meeting Tuesday

Representatives from EFD and the Illinois Department of Labor are pictured as SHARP Award is received.

Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The Effingham City Council heard about the Effingham Fire Department receiving the SHARP Award at Tuesday’s meeting.

The Effingham Fire Department was recognized with the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program, or SHARP, Award from the Illinois Department of Labor. Only 34 Illinois employers have received and maintained this award.

Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland also honored 3 individuals for their efforts in saving a life in June. Chief McFarland said Police Chaplain Carol Gapsis was on her way to work when she encountered “a woman in distress”. Gapsis called the police to help the woman. After the call, the distressed woman wandered away and Gapsis couldn’t immediately locate her. City Officers Cody Hartke and Brennan Poland arrived on scene and began to search the area and found the woman behind a boulder. Narcan was administered, as officers correctly determined she was experiencing an overdose.

Chief McFarland presenting award to Carol Gepsis.

Chief McFarland with Officer Brennan Poland.

Chief McFarland with Officer Cody Hartke.

Other items heard and/or acted on at Tuesday’s meeting:

• Accepted a proposal for an extension of Thies Avenue
• Approved reconstruction of a portion of Airport Road from South Route 45 to Hetzel’s Overland Transport
• Heard a presentation on an expansion of the Effingham/Effingham County Enterprise Zone for residential development
• Authorized an agreement with Unit 40 Schools for additional police officers in the school district
• Discussed declaring a property at 510 West Clinton Avenue as dangerous and unsafe
• Discussed allocating $15,000 for a statue commemorating the 75th anniversary of the St. Anthony Hospital fire

The Council also heard requests from Tourism Director Jodi Thoele to allow America’s Groove Record Store and Effingham American Legion to hold a Record Fair downtown on September 30, and asked for permission for the Halloween Parade on October 29.