Ohio Heroes Honored at 44th Annual Hall of Fame & Fire Awards Ceremony

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal and the Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS awarded the fire service's high honors earlier today during the state's 44^th annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame & Fire Awards. The event took place a the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in downtown Columbus.

Over 200 individuals, including state officials, first responders, family members of honorees, and the general public attended the ceremony, which takes place annually to recognize the valor, dedication and exemplary service of fire service members and citizens from across the state.

"This annual ceremony is a testament to the extraordinary courage and unwavering dedication displayed by Ohio's fire service and EMS professionals," said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. "Each honoree has left a profound impact on their communities, exemplifying what it truly means to protect, serve, and save lives. Their stories inspire all of us to strive for excellence and selflessness in our pursuits."

"Honoring these remarkable individuals allows us to reflect on their extraordinary contributions to public safety and the countless lives they've touched through their service," Executive Director of EMS Robert Wagoner said. "Their dedication and selfless commitment to serving others truly represents public service. I am honored to help celebrate and recognize these heroes.

The following individuals were honored at this year's ceremony:

Ohio Fire Service Citizen Award

Justin Thompson, Ford Amsbaugh, Kevin Jarvis, and Ronnie Smith (Ontario, Richland County)

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Justin Thompson, Ford Amsbaugh, Kevin Jarvis, and Ronnie Smith, of Thompson Asphalt, received the Ohio Fire Citizen's Award for their actions following a home explosion in Crestline (Richland County) in September 2024. The four men were working when they heard a nearby explosion, followed by smoke rising above the neighborhood. They quickly jumped into action and headed toward what was left of the home, using their water truck to battle the flames. This provided crucial extra seconds until the Springfield Township Fire Department arrived to take over fire suppression efforts. After the fire was partially contained, the four individuals joined firefighters in their mission to find and rescue a victim who was trapped in the debris.

Bill Hershberger and Karl Mounts (Orrville, Wayne County)

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Ohio Fire Service Citizen's Award recipients Bill Hershberger of Marshallville and Karl Mounts of Akron were honored for their bravery and selflessness when they freed the driver of a dump truck that had overturned and caught fire on I-77 in Bath Township in July 2024. Despite having no protective equipment, they dug through gravel and fought against a heavy tarp covering the truck's load to reach the injured driver and pull him to safety before emergency personnel arrived.

Jon Ehrsam and William Serres (Delta, Fulton County)

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John Ehrsam and William Serres were recognized with the Ohio Fire Service Citizen's Award for their heroic actions following a home explosion in May 2024 in the community of Delta. After hearing the explosion near their homes, the two men rushed to the scene, arriving before first responders. They worked with local residents to help free a severely injured woman who was trapped in the burning remains of the home. After rescuing the woman, the group of neighbors then located her young son who was hiding and carried him to safety.

Fire Service Valor Award

Travis Birch (Newton Falls, Trumbull County)

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Fire Service Valor Award recipient Travis Birch were recognized for rescuing a woman from her burning Vienna Township home in July 2024. Birch was at home when he overheard an emergency call about a house fire located just two miles away. Despite having no protective equipment, he took immediate action, breaking through a glass door of the burning home and pulling the injured woman to safety, where she could be treated.

Larry Walters (Medina, Medina County)

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Medina Fire Department Chief Larry Walters were recognized with the Fire Service Valor Award for rescuing a woman who was trapped inside the basement of her burning home in October 2024. Walters climbed through a window into the smoke-filled basement to rescue the woman by lifting her through the window opening to safety so first responders could provide treatment. Walters, who did not have protective equipment, sustained minor injuries, including smoke inhalation.

Scott Thomas, Tommy Gibbs, and Joseph Koziel (Youngstown, Mahoning County)

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Youngstown firefighters Scott Thomas, Tommy Gibbs, and Joseph Koziel received the Fire Service Valor Award for their heroic actions following an explosion at a 14-story building in downtown Youngstown in May 2024. Amid significant destruction, the three individuals risked their lives to initiate daring rescue efforts and save the lives of others. Their efforts reflect the core values of the fire service: courage, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to protect and serve.

Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award

Brian Peterman (Wooster, Wayne County)

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Brian Peterman of Wooster received the Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award. The award will recognize his 40-plus year career and the profound influence he has had on Ohio's fire service through his leadership, mentorship and commitment to fire safety.

Paul Wright (Lima, Allen County)

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With a career in the fire service spanning more than four decades, Paul Wright received the Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award. He began his service in 1978 with the Montgomery Community Fire Company, where he now serves as the chief. Wright's 45-year career is marked by exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, and profound contributions to the fire service at both the local and national levels. He has served as the president of the Ohio Fire Chief's Association and currently chairs the Ohio Fire and Emergency Services Foundation.

David Young (Sardinia, Brown/Highland County)

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David Young received the Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award. Since joining the Sardinia Volunteer Fire Department in 1974, he has been a steadfast presence and a vital contributor to its growth, evolution, and success. As assistant chief, Young played a pivotal role in the formation of the Eastern Joint Fire and EMS District. Young's nearly 50 years of selfless service stands as an enduring legacy of what it means to give back to one's community.

Jim Newland (Ridgeway, Hardin County)

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Jim Newland was recognized with the Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award. He has dedicated over 20 years to the fire service, devoting his career to protecting others. In addition to serving as the fire chief of the Ridgeway Fire Department, Newland has made it his personal mission to honor the legacy of fallen first responders, attending their funerals and presenting their loved ones with American flags.

David Gaffney (Bloomingdale, Jefferson County)

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David Gaffney received the Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award. His extraordinary career in the fire service spans over 50 years and stands as a testament to selflessness, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to helping others. In his 15 years as chief of the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire, the department experienced tremendous growth and transformation including the construction of a new fire station, the acquisition of the department's first new fire truck in decades, and the implementation of a first responder program that eventually grew into an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance.

Ohio Fire Prevention Educator of the Year

Melissa Gammell (Stow, Summit County)

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Ohio Fire Prevention Educator of the Year recipient Melissa Gammell was recognized for her work and dedication to fire safety education. Throughout her six years with the Stow Fire Department, Gammell's innovative fire safety programs have helped save lives, inspire action, and foster a culture of safety and prevention for individuals of all ages.

Ohio Fire Service Instructor of the Year

Douglas Robinson (University Heights, Cuyahoga County)

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This year's recipient of the Fire Instructor of the Year Award is Douglas Robinson with the University Heights Fire Department. Since becoming the department's training officer in 2018, Robinson has set the standard for excellence in firefighter education and operational readiness. This includes the design and implementation of groundbreaking training programs that ensure new recruits and officers are thoroughly prepared to respond to any incident.

Ohio Fire Officer of the Year

Kevin Watts (Whitehall, Franklin County)

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The Ohio Fire Officer of the Year Award was awarded to Kevin Watts, who serves with the Whitehall Division of Fire. Since joining the department in 2019, Watts has developed a reputation as a tireless advocate for mental health and safety, earning admiration for his visionary initiatives and transformative leadership. Among his many contributions is his creation of The Phoenix Project, an annual symposium and fundraising effort that has raised $45,000 for Ohio-based suicide prevention non-profit organizations.

Ohio Fire Department of the Year

Colerain Township Fire and EMS (Cincinnati, Hamilton County)

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The Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS was recognized as the Fire Department of the Year. The department's outstanding effort in education and training, both within the department and across the region, highlights its dedication to innovation and service to the community. CTFE has been committed to improving safety and efficiency by expanding joint training with regional partners and externally, has fostered deep connections within the community.

Ohio Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield, State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon, Director of Public Safety Andy Wilson, and Executive Director of the Ohio Division of EMS Robert Wagoner presented the honorees with the awards.

Today's awards ceremony recognizes the bravery, commitment and sacrifice of the approximately 50,000 dedicated men and women who make up Ohio's fire service and the sacrifices they make on behalf of their communities.

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About the Division of State Fire Marshal

The Division of State Fire Marshal is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio's chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at com.ohio.gov.