2023 -2024 Public Safety Awards

- 5/9/2024

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is honored each year to present our Community Safety Awards.  For 2023, The Henry J. Thomas Post 845 of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, presented four awards to members of our First Responder Community for their service.   Each awardee was presented with a certificate and a check for $500. Submissions were made in 2023 and judging and award presentations were completed in 2024.
 
Outstanding Police Officer 
 

On April 8, 2024, Uwchlan Township Police Officer Maria Mattioni was recognized with the John Radko Award for Outstanding Police Officer for 2023 by VFW Post 845 during the Township Supervisor’s Meeting.  Officer Mattioni has been with the Police Department since 2016 and handled many high stress situations involving armed individual and injured civilians.  Her calm and demeaner in handling these situations resulted in positive outcomes for all involved.   She has also been credited with life saving for first aid she rendered to injured residents prior to arrival of ambulance personnel.  Officer Mattioni displays the highest levels of integrity, intelligence, and compassion in performing her duties.  Officer Mattioni’s nomination was submitted by department lieutenant Maureen Evans. The award was presented to Officer Mattioni by Senior Vice Commander Thomas Flick.


Outstanding Fireman and Emergency Medical Technician

On April 18, 2024, at 8:00 PM, two firefighters with the Ludwigs Corner Fire Company, Chester Springs, PA, were recognized by VFW Post 845 at the fire company’s monthly meeting.   Both nominations were submitted by Ludwigs Corner Fire Chief Ross Trego.

Firefighter Nick Lomanto was presented with the VFW Outstanding Fire Fighter Award for 2023. Nick has been with the fire department since 2019 and was the department’s top responder for 2023.Nick can always be counted on to be there during emergencies and has been vital to the success of the department. Fire Fighter and EMT Paul Mattis was presented with the VFW Outstanding Emergency Medical Technician Award for 2023.  Paul has been with the Ludwigs Corner FD since 2018 and serves part-time with the Uwchlan Ambulance Corp in Lionville, PA.  He also serves as president of the Ludwigs Corner Fire Company where he oversees all fire department operations and administration. 

 

VFW Members attending the award ceremony included:  Bob Fernholz, John Mitchell, Lou Franconi, and Tom Flick. The same veteran members also presented an award to the Outstanding Police  Dispatcher, Tracy Gordon, on May 8. Tracy serves as a dispatcher for the West Chester Police Department.