State Fire Marshal James McNamee announced today that 18 firefighters and 2 civilians will be honored as heroes this Thursday, September 25, 1997 at 8 p.m. at the Ohio Fire Academy, 8895 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg.

Sixteen firefighters will receive Ohio’s Fire Service Valor Award medals on Thursday as they are inducted into the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame, and two civilians will receive the Ohio Fire Service Citizens Award for Heroism. Additionally, two firefighters whose remarkable careers totaled seventy-six years in the fire service will be honored with the Fire Service’s Distinguished Service Award.

Donna Owens, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, along with Marshal James McNamee and Patrick Guanciale, Chairman of the State Fire Commission, will present the awards following a 7 p.m. dinner held at the headquarters of the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of State Fire Marshal. Auditor of State James Petro will provide the keynote address.

“These brave firefighters and private citizens have earned the highest awards bestowed by Ohio's fire service community,” said Director Owens. “In an age when some believe real heroes are hard to find, these fire service professionals and ordinary citizens prove that unselfish acts of great courage are performed across this great state. It is my honor and privilege to say ‘thank you’ to each of them for their bravery.”

Those to be honored include:

John G. Drummer Port Clinton

Willis "Bill" Troy Granville

Frank Corica Litchfield

Nita Cermak Lagrange

James T. Dagg Cleveland Bruce Willcox Piqua

Ronald Kahoun Cleveland Patrick J. Casey Springfield

Quinton L. Mosby Cleveland Brian D. Wirth Springfield

Brian D. Spencer Cleveland Michael Wolever Toledo

James A. Stuhm Cleveland William Bardall Wooster

John C. Burkart Hamilton Scott Bertsch Wooster

James Wayne Proffitt Hamilton Brian S. Peterman Wooster

Robert Bloom Piqua Les E. Teichmer Wooster

Marshal McNamee, a veteran firefighter with 38 years of service, noted that the Hall of Fame was initiated 17 years ago to honor all men and women of the state’s fire fighting service. “The firefighters we are honoring tonight join an elite group of dedicated career professionals,” said McNamee, formerly Chief of the Cleveland Division of Fire. “Like those who came before them, when duty called, these individuals risked their lives so others would live.”

Since it was created in 1980, 141 firefighters have been inducted into the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame. Since the citizen's award was created in 1985, 39 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 paid 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.

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In July 1996, John G. Drummer retired following 35 years of active volunteer service with the Port Clinton Volunteer Fire Department. At the time of his retirement, he had served as the department chief since 1979, having begun his promotion through the ranks to lieutenant in 1972, captain in 1975 and assistant chief in 1977. His commitment to ensuring the safety and emergency needs of Ottawa County is legendary. He served as a charter member, and was instrumental in the success of the Port Clinton Emergency Medical Service, Ottawa County Public Safety Radio Users Group and the Ottawa County Enhanced 911 Committee. He also was a two-term president of the Ottawa County Fire and EMS Chiefs Association. Other highlights of his firefighting career include his efforts in organizing and conducting training sessions in many critical areas and serving as liaison for the county fire departments during state and local disasters. Chief Drummer’s tireless and lifelong dedication to the public he served has earned him the respect and admiration of all whose lives he has touched.

When Willis "Bill" Troy joined the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department in 1956, he began a distinguished career that would span 41 years in firefighting, rescue and emergency medical services education. Bill moved into the classroom in 1970 when he joined the Ohio Department of Education as a specialist in emergency victim care and rescue training. His responsibilities grew in 1985 to include fire, EMS and police training. Bill oversaw the successful transfer of this section to the Ohio Department of Public Safety in 1991 and served as the special projects coordinator of the department’s Division of Emergency Medical Services until his retirement in 1996. During his 26 years of state service, Bill presented hundreds of instructor training courses from emergency victim care and rescue instruction to the Ohio State Fire School, and was instrumental in the development and publication of the first state emergency medical services resource manual for disaster incidents. Throughout Bill Troy’s career, thousands benefited from his vast knowledge and expertise in firefighting, rescue and emergency medical services.

Frank Corica does not believe his actions shortly before noon on April 19, 1996 qualify him as a "hero." But that is exactly how those who witnessed his deed describe Corica. Driving home from an area mall, Corica discovered the car of Danielle Wilson, 16, that had run off the road and was pinned between two trees, making the doors inaccessible. The vehicle was engulfed in flames and the young girl was screaming for help. After unsuccessful attempts to break out the back window, Corica climbed on the roof, reached through the window, grabbed Danielle’s hand and pulled her out of the car. Danielle’s clothing had caught fire. With the assistance of another passerby, Nita Cermak, they rolled her on the ground to extinguish the fire. Corica suffered a burned wrist and foot, and smoke inhalation during the rescue. Frank Corica’s courage is a credit to the State of Ohio.

Nita Cermak witnessed a horrible sight as she and her daughter drove on Foster Road in Wellington on the morning of April 19, 1996. She quickly came to a stop as she saw a flaming car on an embankment with the driver, 16-year-old Danielle Wilson, trapped inside and screaming for help. As her daughter ran to call an ambulance, Cermak ran to the burning car where another passerby, Frank Corica, was pulling Danielle out of a car window. Seeing that the young girl’s clothing was on fire, Nita grabbed her and, with Mr. Corica’s assistance, rolled her in the grass to extinguish the flames. Nita ripped off Danielle’s smoldering clothes, guided her away from the flaming car and laid her on some blankets. She then wrapped Danielle in wet towels, changing them every few minutes until the emergency squad arrived. Nita Cermak’s courage is a credit to the State of Ohio.

Responding to an apartment fire at 1136 North Fountain Avenue on March 3, 1996, Springfield Lieutenant Patrick J. Casey and Firefighter Paramedic Brian Wirth searched all four apartments for possible victims. With no hoseline for protection, they first checked the two downstairs apartments. Finding no occupants, they proceeded to the second floor, encountering heavy smoke in the hallway. Lt. Casey found a second floor apartment unoccupied as he heard Firefighter Wirth shout from the other apartment that he had found a victim. Upon entering the apartment, Lt. Casey met heavy smoke and heat, but he located Firefighter Wirth and the unconscious victim on the living room floor. As flames shot through the adjacent doorway, Lt. Casey positioned his body between the victim and the fire as they carried her to safety. After the victim received emergency medical attention, Lt. Casey returned to help extinguish the fire. Lt. Patrick J. Casey’s bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

On March 3, 1996, upon arriving at a fire at 1136 North Fountain Avenue in Springfield, Firefighter Paramedic Brian D. Wirth observed flames coming out of a second story window. Without the aid of a hoseline, he entered the building with Lt. Patrick Casey to check the four apartments for possible victims. After no occupants were found on the first floor they checked the second floor, which was engulfed with heavy smoke. The two split up, each going to a separate apartment. With little regard for his own personal safety in the intense heat and smoke, Firefighter Wirth found a woman lying unconscious on the floor of the south apartment and alerted Lt. Casey that he had found a victim. Though the fire was rapidly advancing, the firefighters successfully carried the victim outside. Firefighter/Paramedic Brian D. Wirth’s bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

Cleveland Firefighter James T. Dagg participated in a daring rescue on September 14, 1996. Along with Firefighter James A. Stuhm, he was called to a silo at the Cleveland Electrical Illuminating Company, on 6800 South Marginal Road, filled with fly ash, the byproduct of burning coal. There, a worker became pinned when a 1000 pound piece of solidified ash fell on his legs, burying him to his shoulders. The firefighters stood on a ten inch beam, just above the victim, and cautiously vacuumed the ash away. Once enough of the ash was cleared, they began chiseling the boulder of ash with their axes until it became apparent this was compromising the victim’s safety. Firefighters Dagg and Stuhm instead dug under the victim, using only their hands to clear the debris. Their efforts were successful and the victim was safely removed from the silo. Firefighter James T. Dagg’s bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

Cleveland Firefighter James A. Stuhm participated in a daring rescue on September 14, 1996. Along with Firefighter James T. Dagg, he was called to a silo at the Cleveland Electrical Illuminating Company, on 6800 South Marginal Road, filled with fly ash, the byproduct of burning coal. There, a worker became pinned when a 1000 pound piece of solidified ash fell on his legs, burying him to his shoulders. The firefighters stood on a ten inch beam, just above the victim, and cautiously vacuumed the ash away. Once enough of the ash was cleared, they began chiseling the boulder of ash with their axes until it became apparent this was compromising the victim’s safety. Firefighters Stuhm and Dagg instead dug under the victim, using only their hands to clear the debris. Their efforts were successful and the victim was safely removed from the silo. Firefighter James A. Stuhm’s bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

On August 24, 1996, a 24-year-old woman had climbed to the top of the Anthony Wayne Bridge in Toledo and, for several hours, had threatened to jump. Though off-duty at the time, Battalion Chief Michael Wolever, a member of Toledo’s high-angle rescue team, offered his assistance. Without regard for his personal safety, he began scaling the bridges support cables. Secured only by a safety harness, he ascended 220 feet to the top of the tower. Sitting next to the distraught woman, he calmly talked to her. After several tense moments, he was able to calm her. Throughout the careful descent, Chief Wolever continually offered words of encouragement and support to maintain the woman’s confidence. Chief Wolever’s bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

After Battalion #4 responded to a Cleveland house fire at 4016 West 23rd Street on November 28, 1996, Firefighter Brian D. Spencer learned from frantic family members that someone was still inside. Without the aid of protective clothing, hoseline or the assistance of other firefighters, he rushed through the front door. Firefighter Spencer crawled near the door where the occupant was last seen, but found no one. As he crawled down the smoke-filled hallway past the flaming kitchen, the smoke and heat intensified. In the rear bedroom, he found the unconscious occupant on the floor between the wall and bed. He dragged the occupant back past the fire and was half way down the hallway when he was met by arriving fire crews who helped carry the victim to safety. Firefighter Brian D. Spencer’s bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

Cleveland Firefighter Quinton L. Mosby was on his way home from work on the morning of March 17, 1996 when he noticed dark clouds of smoke near 3474 East 121st Street. After calling fire crews from a pay phone, he returned to the scene to learn a woman was still on the first floor. With no protective clothing or hoseline, he entered the smoke-filled first floor and found the frightened woman in a wheelchair in her bedroom. He attempted to roll the wheelchair through the doorway, but it did not fit. With the assistance of another resident, he unsuccessfully tried to lift the woman. The smoke had thickened, and breathing was becoming difficult. Fire crews soon arrived and provided Firefighter Mosby with an ax. He chopped the doorway until the wheelchair could pass through. He returned to assist firefighters for the next hour. Firefighter Quinton L. Mosby’s bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

Not many people can say they began the new year by saving lives, but that is exactly what Cleveland Firefighter Ronald T. Kahoun did on the morning of January 1, 1996. He was driving to work when he saw thick, black smoke billowing into the air. He discovered a two-story apartment on fire, where neighbors reported that people may still be inside. Firefighter Kahoun, alone and without protective clothing, kicked open a side door, climbed the stairs and shouted to warn residents of the fire. He forced entry into a second-floor unit and was met with intense smoke and heat. Crawling under the smoke, he noticed a dazed man gathering personal belongings. He ordered the man to leave and assisted him down the stairs, where he encountered a couple with two small children. He then safely escorted all five from the burning building. Firefighter Ronald T. Kahoun’s bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

Firefighter John Burkart, a twenty-five year member of the Hamilton Fire Department and a member of the River Rescue Team, clearly displayed his sense of duty on June 1, 1996 when he rescued Steve McIlvain from the Great Miami River. With McIlvain evading previous rescue attempts, John's task was even more daunting. After it became apparent that McIlvain was suffering from fatigue and hypothermia, it was clear that Burkart had to take action quickly. With life rings in hand, Firefighter Burkart swam more than 40 yards against strong winds and current. Burkart swam the victim to shore where other firefighters on the scene used throw ropes to help both men ashore. Firefighter John Burkart's bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

On December 13, 1996, Piqua Firefighter Paramedic Robert Bloom and Captain Bruce Willcox were called to a burning Piqua home with a child trapped inside. With heavy smoke and flames emanating from the front of the residence, Firefighter Bloom quickly found another way into the home, locating a stairway at the rear of the house. He and Captain Willcox attempted to reach the second floor without a hoseline, but they were driven back by intense heat and flames. Within minutes, they reentered the stairway with the hoseline, extinguished the main fire and conducted a search in near zero visibility. Firefighter Bloom searched the rear bedroom where he found 3-year-old Ronald Coate, unconscious and not breathing. Firefighter Bloom and Captain Willcox quickly carried the boy to safety. Firefighter Bloom assisted with patient care enroute to the hospital. Firefighter Robert Bloom's bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

On December 13, 1996, Captain Bruce Willcox and Firefighter Robert Bloom were called to a burning home in Piqua with a child trapped inside. With heavy smoke and flames emanating from the front of the residence, Firefighter Bloom located an alternate stairway at the rear of the house. Captain Willcox and Firefighter Bloom attempted to reach the second floor without a hoseline, but they were driven back by intense heat and flames. They soon reentered the stairway with the hoseline, extinguished the main body of the fire and conducted a search in near zero visibility. After Firefighter Bloom found 3-year-old Ronald Coate unconscious and not breathing in the rear bedroom, he and Captain Willcox quickly carried the victim to safety, whereupon Willcox initiated CPR until rescue personnel arrived. Captain Bruce Willcox’s bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

On May 30, 1996, Hamilton Lieutenant J. Wayne Proffitt saved the life of a child for the second time in his twenty-one year career. Earlier in his career, while off-duty, he saved a boy from choking. On this day, Lieutenant Proffitt entered a burning apartment through an upstairs bedroom window. He searched the bedroom and found the child on his back at the top of the stairs. He rushed down the steps as the fire crew was coming up the stairs. Moments later, he emerged through the front door clutching 4-year-old Blair Glover who he found laying unconscious on the upstairs landing. Lieutenant Proffitt showed great courage in his actions to save the child's life. His bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

On February 7, 1996, Wooster Township Lieutenant William T. Bardall responded to a fire at 1145 East Messner Road. Upon arriving, he was informed that an elderly victim was bedridden and trapped inside the house. Lt. Bardall and Wooster Township Firefighter Brian S. Peterman entered the structure with a hoseline to control the fire and rescue the victim. When the hoseline could be pulled no further, the firefighters braved thick smoke to search for the victim, who was found in his bed. Wooster City Firefighters Scott E. Bertsch and Les E. Teichmer, Jr. were able to enter the house through a window and form a human chain with Lt. Bardall and Firefighter Peterman. As a result, the firefighters were able to carry the victim to safety. Lt. William T. Bardall's bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

On February 7, 1996, Wooster Township Firefighter Brian S. Peterman responded to a fire at 1145 East Messner Road. Upon arriving, he was informed that an elderly victim was bedridden and trapped inside the house. Wooster Township Lt. William T. Bardall arrived and Firefighter Peterman entered the structure with a hoseline to control the fire and rescue the victim. When the hoseline could be pulled no further, the firefighters braved thick smoke to search for the victim, who was found in his bed. Wooster City Firefighters Scott E. Bertsch and Les E. Teichmer, Jr. were able to enter the house through a window and form a human chain with Lt. Bardall and Firefighter Peterman. As a result, the firefighters were able to carry the victim to safety. Firefighter Brian S. Peterman's bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

On February 7, 1996, Wooster City Firefighter Les E. Teichmer, Jr. responded to a fire at 1145 East Messner Road in Wooster Township. Upon arriving, he and fellow Firefighter Scott E. Bertsch were informed that Wooster Township Firefighters William T. Bardall and Brian S. Peterman had entered the structure with a hoseline to control the fire and rescue the bedridden victim. Firefighter Teichmer was able to break through a window and, with the assistance of Firefighter Bertsch, enter the house and locate the victim's bedroom. All four firefighters were then able to form a human chain and carry the victim to safety. Firefighter Les E. Teichmer, Jr.'s bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.

On February 7, 1996, Wooster City Firefighter Scott E. Bertsch responded to a fire at 1145 East Messner Road in Wooster Township. Upon arriving, he and fellow Firefighter Les E. Teichmer, Jr. were informed that Wooster Township Firefighters William T. Bardall and Brian S. Peterman had entered the structure with a hoseline to control the fire and rescue the bedridden victim. Firefighter Teichmer was able to break through a window allowing both he and Firefighter Bertsch to enter the house and locate the victim's bedroom. All four firefighters were then able to form a human chain and rescue the victim. Firefighter Scott E. Bertsch's bravery is a credit to the State of Ohio.