Our 2025 Whelen Everyday Champion, Jen Elleraas, recently visited Whelen headquarters for a behind-the-scenes look at the people and processes behind the products she relies on to stay safe as a firefighter.
Jen began her visit at our Chester, Connecticut facility, where she met the team who selected her as this year’s Everyday Champion. During her tour, she saw firsthand how Whelen products move from concept to completion, learning about the many steps involved in designing, building, testing, and shipping the warning systems trusted by first responders around the world.
The following day, Jen traveled to our New Hampshire facility for a closer look at our larger manufacturing operation. There, she toured the facility, spent time on the production floor, and got hands-on insight into how our lightbars are built and tested to meet the high standards first responders depend on every day.
As a firefighter, Jen knows how important reliability and performance are when lives are on the line. She was impressed by the care and attention that goes into every stage of the manufacturing process and appreciated the commitment our employees have to create products that help keep first responders safe.
For Whelen, the visit was a chance to welcome someone who represents exactly what the Everyday Champion award celebrates: individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference in their communities. While we were proud to show Jen what makes Whelen special, we were equally honored to spend time with someone who dedicates herself to serving others.
It was an incredible couple of days, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to celebrate Jen and the impact she makes every day.