State Fire Marshal James McNamee and Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce Donna Owens announced today that 15 Ohio firefighters and 16 civilians were being honored as heroes at the 1998 Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The ceremony is slated for 8 p.m. today at the Ohio Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg.

Thirteen firefighters will receive the Ohio Fire Service Valor Award for bravery and actions above and beyond the call of duty. A medallion will be presented to each firefighter as they are inducted into the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame. Also being honored for brave and courageous actions are 16 civilians, including one group of 14 individuals, who will receive the Ohio Fire Service Citizens Award for Heroism. In addition, two firefighters whose remarkable careers combined for a total of 64 years in the fire service will be honored with the Ohio Distinguished Service Award.

Director Owens, along with Marshal James McNamee and Patrick Guanciale, Chairman of the State Fire Commission, will present the awards. Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives JoAnn Davidson will give the keynote address.

"Each of these firefighters and private citizens displayed tremendous courage in putting aside their personal safety to help save others," said Director Owens. "They have truly earned the highest award bestowed by Ohio’s fire service community, as well as the respect and admiration of all Ohioans. It is my honor and privilege to say ‘thank you’ to each of them for their bravery."

Those to be honored include:

This award is conferred upon outstanding individuals whose careers have contributed significantly to the development of the fire service in the state of Ohio, regionally, and nationally; one whose dedication and actions have been a great service to their community; and one whose leadership and accomplishments are widely recognized and respected in the Ohio fire service.

This award is conferred annually upon members of the fire service in the state of Ohio who are credited with risking their own safety to directly save or attempt to save a life or lives during an extreme emergency situation. They must have been an active member of a career or volunteer fire service in the state of Ohio at the time of the heroic act.

This award is conferred annually upon members of the general public who are credited with risking their own safety to directly save or attempt to save a life or lives during an extreme fire or other emergency rescue situation. This award may be given to residents of any state for incidents occurring within the state of Ohio, and to residents of Ohio for incidents occurring in any other state.

Darrell T. Clark Columbus

Vic Cole Wooster

Employees of Palmer-Donavin of Columbus

Eric Andrix

Mike Crumm

John Davis

Dennis Duncan

Tom Hankinson

Timothy Higgins

Mike Irwin

Scott Mollohan

Wes Murphy

Shane Phillips

Donald Righter

Robert Scott

James Trout

Dave Yantis

 

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Further information regarding the actions of individual recipients is available upon request.