Niles man to receive award forfire service

NILES -- Myron L. George saw a need and decided to work with others to fill the void.
Now, the Niles man is being recognized by the Ohio Department of Commerce for 50 years of service.
George, of Ohltown-McDonald Road, was to receive the Ohio Distinguished Fire Service Award today during the 2003 Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner in Reynoldsburg.
A charter member of the Mineral Ridge Fire Department, George worked more than 50 years as president, fire captain and fire instructor. He retired from the department May 1.
"There was a need for that department," he said. "It was just something that needed to be done."
George said he and other founding members had never worked as firefighters but were dedicated to making a go of the department.
"The whole department was fresh back then," he said, "but there were a lot of people who really wanted to be a part of it."
Through his work with the department, George traveled through the state as an instructor and watched the fire department grow over the years.
"Oh yeah, sure I miss it," he said.
George is one of two men in the state receiving the honor this year.
The award is designed to honor "outstanding individuals whose contributions to and leadership of the fire service within the state of Ohio have been a milestone in the development of those services," according to the commerce department. Karen Bowman, a spokeswoman with the department, said the award also honors those whose actions served their community as well as the fire service on a regional, statewide or national basis.
His work
During his years of service, George worked with the Trumbull County children's fire safety prevention trailer and was a mentor of the county's Juvenile Fire Setters Program.
He was a member of the Trumbull County Fire Chief's Association and is a past president of the Trumbull County Firefighters' Association and the Mahoning Valley Firefighters' Association, with perfect attendance for 25 years.
He was named dean of the Trumbull County Fire School in 1987.
George retired from Copperweld Steel Co. in Warren after 31 years as a locomotive crane repairman and served with the company's fire brigade until his retirement.
He and his wife, Dorothy, have two sons: Myron, retired assistant chief of the Weathersfield Fire Department, and Richard. The couple also have four grandchildren.
The Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame was started 23 years ago to honor men and women of the state's firefighting service.
slshaulis@vindy.com