NASHUA – Citing the outstanding service and sacrifices made by Nashua teachers, police officers, AMR, firefighters and public health employees, Nashua Lions president Mike Francoeur has announced that in lieu of the individual recognition of educators, police, AMR and fire and with the COVID-19 crisis the addition of public health, all members of each agency have been selected to be their Employees of the Year for 2020.

“These men and women, sworn and civilian go above and beyond on a daily basis, and unfortunately, all too often we take what they do for granted. Add to their daily duties the COVID-19 virus, and the club felt they were all due this type of recognition,” Francoeur said.

So, rather than doing their usual Teacher of the Year, Police Officer of the Year, Firefighter of the Year and EMS of the Year, the club decided to recognize Nashua Public Health as well, and each group will be honored later this year once things return to normal.

The Teacher of the Year was scheduled for the club’s second meeting in May, but given the task that all educators, para-professionals and their support staffs have had to operate under, club officials felt it only right to honor all of them for this year.

For police and firefighters, they also have entered into a new environment never experienced before. Answering calls in a new manner for each department has raised the anxiety levels. NFR also has been dealing with the opioid situation with their Safe Station program and for that the Lions wanted to recognize all of them.

Unless residents need a permit or need their home’s water tested, very few people think of Public Health. However, given the yeoman task that Bobbi Bagley and her staff have demonstrated during the recent weeks, the Lions wanted to add them in for recognition.

The final group being recognized are the trained professionals at AMR here in Nashua. Always ready, they too place themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis.

Club program chair Ed Lecius said once things settle down, perhaps this summer or early fall, a date will be selected to bring all the heroes together for proper recognition.

“Unusual times call for an unusual response, and the Nashua Lions want all of these professionals to know we have their backs and appreciate what they do year round.”

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