11 Youngstown firefighters will be honored at dinner
STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN — Fire department officials will take time out tonight to honor firefighters who are retiring from the department and others who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
The 23rd annual Youngstown Professional Firefighters Retirement and Awards Dinner will be at 8 p.m. at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Hall, 343 Via Mount Carmel. Nine firefighters will receive various awards.
There are 11 firefighters retiring from the department. Nine of those chose to participate in the last round of buyouts offered by the department. The firefighters have a combined 313 years of experience.
Several other firefighters will be honored for their efforts to use extrication tools to remove people involved in vehicular accidents.
The Youngstown Fire Department Honor Guard will initiate the opening ceremony with the presentation of colors and bagpipes.
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, will be the keynote speaker
The 11 retiring firefighters to be honored are:
UHubert Clardy, chief inspector, 25 years of service.
UJeffrey Stewart, captain, 19 years’ experience.
UReinaldo Sanchez, captain, 33 years’ experience.
URobert Banks, captain, 24 years’ experience.
URobert Hian, battalion chief, 33 years’ experience.
UJohn Martin Jr., battalion chief, 26 years’ experience.
UGary Chance, captain, 29 years’ experience.
USharyl Frasier, inspector, 27 years’ experience.
UJames Hellman, captain, 33 years’ experience.
UDavid Harris, battalion chief, 29 years’ experience.
UWilliam Pollock, lieutenant, 35 years’ experience.