Whiting Field honors civilians of the year

Shawn Fitzpatrick and Steven Toon were announced as the Senior Civilian of the Year and the Junior Civilian of the Year during an awards ceremony March 17 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field (NASWF).  The two civilian employees were selected from more than 120 base federal workers.

Fitzpatrick works as a Family Advocacy Representative for the Fleet and Family Support Center for the base.  Through his job, he interacts with numerous local and regional agencies including: Favor House, Department of Children and Families, local schools, Santa Rosa County Domestic Violence Counsel, Multidisciplinary Review Team, Crisis Intervention Northwest Florida and more.  He also provides training to childcare givers at the child development center on the early signs of child neglect and abuse.
He has been working in the Family Advocacy field, both here and at Naval Air Station Pensacola, since 2003.  Prior to that, he served as a substance abuse counselor and an Employee Assistance Program coordinator with civilian organizations such as: West Florida Hospital, The Friary, the Lakeview Center, and others.  Fitzpatrick is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Masters degree in Social Work from Florida State University.

"The concept of family advocacy appeals to me," he said.  "I like working with the families and trying to help them work through issues.  To see them work things out, and to watch them improve is rewarding."

Toon serves as a patrolman for the NASWF Security department.  He is qualified to function as and instruct in a wide variety of areas, including:  Field Training Officer, Range Safety Officer, Emergency Vehicle Operator Course, Expandable Police Baton Advanced Instructor, and Duty Armorer.

He directly contributed to the department receiving a positive assessment during a 2007 Integrated Vulnerability Assessment, after taking over as Training division Assistant prior to the inspection.  Toon furthermore trained and qualified more than 40 personnel in the areas of patrolman, M9 automatic pistol, M500 shotgun, and emergency vehicle operations.

"Many of Patrolman Toon's duties are above and beyond the scope of his job," said Master Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate John Floyd, Security Officer for NASWF.  "He has a wide variety of duties and he performs them all in a highly professional manner."
Both employees were presented a plaque and a cash award for their selection, but for Fitzpatrick, the acknowledgement of the value of the Family Advocacy program is the true coup.

"This is a program that people don't always like to talk about, so it doesn't always receive recognition.  Local child service agencies, base security personnel, local law enforcement, the command and others all have to work together as a team to make this work for the families.
 Being recognized as a part of that team is great, and I feel honored," said Fitzpatrick.