Awards dinner honors Youngstown firefighters

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The 25th annual Youngstown Professional Firefighters Awards dinner honored the department’s 2011 retirees and recognized a lieutenant with a Life Saving Award.

Lt. Charles Smith responded July 2 to a fire on the city’s East Side. Battalion Chief Rich Russo and fire Chief John O’Neill were informed of a trapped female occupant inside the house at 32 Fincastle Lane, and both tried to enter the home but were unable to because of the heavy smoke, according to a news release.

When Smith arrived on the scene, he was told of the woman trapped inside and went to her without the assistance of a hose-line or fellow crew member, removed his face-piece to provide her with fresh air and moved her to safety, the release stated.

The department also recognized three individuals for the 25-Year Service Award: Capt. Kevin O’Neill, Capt. Eli Santiago and Chief Investigator Alvin Ware.

The following 2011 retirees were honored: Lt. Frank Marino, 26 years; Capt. John Rider, 35 years; Capt. Ronald Myers, 35 years; Capt. Thomas Cobey, 26 years; Capt. Daniel Poklemba, 30 years; Battalion Chief Frank Rosa, 37 years; and Lt. Inspector Glen Patrick Walker, 30 years.

State Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield, D-33rd, and state Reps. Robert Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th, and Ronald V. Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th, were recognized for their role in the defeat of Issue 2, a referendum on Senate Bill 5, a state law that restricted collective-bargaining rights for public workers.

The ceremony took place Friday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Center in Youngstown and was sponsored by the International Association of Firefighters Local 312.