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OHIO HEROES:

8 FIREFIGHTERS AND 4 PRIVATE CITIZENS TO BE HONORED

 

State Fire Marshal Robert R. Rielage announced today that 8 firefighters and 4 civilians will be honored as heroes this Thursday, September 21, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ohio Fire Academy, 8895 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg.

Eight firefighters will receive Ohio’s Fire Service Valor Award medals on Thursday as they are inducted into the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame. Four civilians will receive the Ohio Fire Service Citizens Award for Heroism. Additionally, a retired fire chief whose remarkable career spanned four decades will be honored with the Fire Service’s Distinguished Service Award. A civilian who has made significant contributions to Ohio’s fire service during his career will also be honored.

Gary Suhadolnik, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, along with Marshal Rielage and Patrick Guanciale, Chairman of the State Fire Commission, will present the awards following a 6:45 p.m. dinner held at the headquarters of the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of State Fire Marshal.

"We welcome the opportunity to honor these courageous firefighters and private citizens," said Director Suhadolnik. "By the immeasurable selflessness and heroism that each of these individuals exhibited, they have earned the highest awards bestowed by Ohio’s fire service community. We recognize and officially commend them for their bravery."

Those to be honored include:

Distinguished Service Award

 

Paul W. Martin, Jr. Hudson

 

William L. Howard Award

 

Joseph C. Stewart Lebanon

 

Citizens Award for Heroism

 

Tracy Knisley Bainbridge

Tommie Knisley Bainbridge

Clint Knisley Bainbridge

Edward Brennan Wellington

 

 

Fire Service Valor Award

 

Gilbert Axle Cincinnati David H. Hall Columbus

Paul M. Mapes Cincinnati Douglas J. Smith Columbus

Michael Schmees Cincinnati Daniel J. Pamer Springfield

Jeffrey S. Blair Columbus Gus C. Theodor Springfield

 

Marshal Rielage, a veteran firefighter with 29 years of service, noted that the Hall of Fame was initiated 20 years ago to honor all men and women of the state’s fire fighting service. "The firefighters we are honoring epitomize the high standard that Ohio’s fire service sets for itself," said Rielage. "Ohio firefighters risk their lives on a daily basis, whether on or off-duty, to protect their families, their neighbors, their communities and their fellow Ohioans."

Since it was created in 1980, 154 firefighters have been inducted into the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame. Since the citizen's award was created in 1985, 44 private citizens have been recognized for their heroism.

Ohio’s Distinguished Fire Service Award is conferred by the Governor every year upon an Ohioan whose completed career serves as a milestone to the fire service. The honoree’s likeness is engraved on a plaque and placed in the Hall of Fame’s Gallery. The inductee receives the Medal of Distinguished Fire Service and a citation signed by the Governor.

The Ohio Fire Service Citizens Award for Heroism was created by the State Fire Commission in 1985. This award is conferred by the Governor upon citizens of Ohio who at risk of their own lives, perform a lifesaving act in a fire or emergency situation.

Ohio’s Fire Service Valor Award is conferred by the Governor upon Ohioans who, while in the line of duty and at great personal risk, saved or attempted to save the life or lives of persons trapped by fire or endangered by other life-threatening emergencies. Nominees must have been career or volunteer firefighters in the State of Ohio. They are nominated by the chief fire officials of their respective communities. Recipients are presented medals and their names are inscribed in the Valor Award book, located on a pedestal in the lobby of the Ohio Fire Academy.

The William L. Howard Award is conferred by the Governor upon individuals who are not members of the fire service, but who have during the course of their careers or lives made significant contributions toward the furtherance of fire protection, fire prevention or fire safety on a statewide or national basis.

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To TV Assignment Editors: We will be happy to provide assistance if you would like to arrange for film footage of the event from a sister station. Descriptions of the Awardees’ acts of bravery can be found at www.com.state.oh.us/sfm

 

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