Community Safety Champions

Unintentional injuries are the most common cause of fatality for individuals ages 1 to 39 and the fifth overall cause of death.

To succeed in reducing these injuries and fatalities, the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter encourages individuals and organizations to engage themselves in education and programs for the prevention of unintentional injuries and the safety of others, individually or as groups. It takes everyone's efforts to promote safe living in our homes and communities.

Awards are presented annually at the Safety and Health Awards Luncheon at the Safety and Health Summit presented by the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter.

Community safety awards are open to all those who are contributing their efforts in safety to the betterment of the Greater Omaha area. Nominations are made by members of the community.

OPPD Service to Community Safety Award
Established in 1964, this award was developed to encourage effective action in community safety by a not-for-profit organization.

  • 2009: Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols (OCCP) Rapid Response Team - Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2009: Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska - Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2008: YMCA of Greater Omaha Aquatics Program and Staff - Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2007: Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
  • 2006: Project Cherish - Immanuel Health Systems
  • 2005: Sen. Lowen and Ruth Kruse and Mike and Roselyn Cappiello with MADD
  • 2004: Douglas County Sheriff's Office Reserve Deputy Unit
  • 2003: Bellevue Police Department's Community Policing Unit
  • 2002: Safe Futures Consortium - Mary Lopez and Thomas C. Monaghan
  • 2001: Project Extra Mile
  • 2000: Camp Fire Boys and Girls
  • 1999: Omaha Community Partnership
  • 1998: Assistance League of Omaha
  • 1997: Crimestoppers
  • 1996: Omaha Neighborhood Courage
  • 1995: Friends of the Mounted Patrol - Omaha Police Department

Safety Council Public Servant Award
Inspired by former Omaha Mayor Bernie Simon, this award recognizes a public servant who demonstrates outstanding leadership on or off the job for the safety and health of individuals and/or the community.

  • 2009: Stacy Henry, Omaha Police Department - Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2008: Lt. Russ Zeeb, Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office - Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2007 : Assistant Fire Marshall Pio Porta
  • 2006: Officers Lowell Petersen and Mark Hanner,Omaha Police Department
  • 2005: Lt. Tim Conahan, Omaha Police Dept., Chief Tim Dempsey, Elkhorn Police Dept.
  • 2004: Firefighter Laura Weaver, Omaha Fire and Rescue
  • 2003: Battalion Chief Brian Sorensen, Omaha Fire and Rescue
  • 2002: Captain Herb Evers, Bellevue Police Department
  • 2001: Captain Mark Sundermeier, Omaha Police Department
  • 2000: Battalion Chief Joel Sacks, Omaha Fire and Rescue
  • 1999: Judy Johns, Director, Omaha Police Community Resource Center
  • 1998: Jim Wilson, Sr.
  • 1997: Fred Zwonecek, Administrator, Nebraska Office of Highway Safety
  • 1996: Dick Shea, C.A.R.E. Program
  • 1995: Troop A - Nebraska State Patrol

Lorraine Giles School Safety Award
Established in 2000 in honor of former school principal, Lorraine Giles, this award recognizes outstanding leadership in the area of school safety. Lorraine Giles, longtime board member of the Greater Omaha Chapter, is a member of the National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter Hall of Fame, and has received the National Safety Council Distinguished Service to Safety Award.

  • 2009: Linda Frey - Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2008: Edward Bickels - Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2005: R.E.S.P.E.C.T. 2
  • 2004: Officer James Pauly, Omaha Police Department
  • 2003: Millard School District - Suicide Prevention Program
  • 2002: "A Better Future Today" Peer Speakers, Millard South High School
  • 2001: Bret Anderson, Principal, Indian Hill Academy
  • 2000: School Resource Officer Program
  • 1999: Leon Haith, Assistant Principal, Millard West High School

B'nai B'rith Award
The B'nai B'rith Award is presented by the Henry Monsky Lodge of B'nai B'rith to citizens who have given service to community safety.

  • 2009: Jean Armstrong, RN, Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital - Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2008: Pat and Craig Enenbach, founders of the Handicap Parking Patrol in Douglas County - Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2005: Heidi Wilke
  • 2004: Kathy Warren
  • 2003: Charose James, ENCARE
  • 2002: Ronald A. Mortensen
  • 2001: Phyllis Dutton and Pat Lenaghan of O.M.M.R.S.
  • 2000: Beth Kaiser, Omaha Public Schools
  • 1999: Millard South High School "Tobacco Trashers"
  • 1998: Lucille Kilgore, Volunteer for Douglas County Health Department
  • 1997: Dr. Ken Bird, Superintendent, Westside Community Schools
  • 1996: James Jansen & Pat Lamberty - Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
  • 1995: Joe Bockman, Bellevue Volunteer Fire Department
  • 1994: Gary Bucchino
  • 1993: Ed Sawyer

Mayor's Trophy
This award initiated by Mayor Al Veys in 1978, recognizes a business that has made a contribution to safety.

  • 2009: Kohl's Departmetn Stores - Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2008: Werner Enterprises -Click Here to View Award Video
  • 2007: Hauptman, O'Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, P.C.
  • 2006: Omaha World-Herald
  • 2005: AAA Nebraska
  • 2004: The Bike Rack
  • 2003: State Farm Insurance
  • 2002: Woodhouse Ford & Baxter Chrysler Plymouth
  • 2001: Oakview Mall
  • 2000: Dean Rasmussen, President, Grandmother's Restaurant
  • 1999: Jim's Dodge Country
  • 1998: WOWT Channel 6
  • 1997: Kidz Magazine/Kidz Explore
  • 1996: Midas Muffler
  • 1995: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska

Safe Communities Award
This award recognizes collaborations with numerous organizations addressing safety and the safety risks in their community.