Champion's Capt. Joseph named Ohio Fire Officer of the Year
Staff report
champion
The Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Medical Service has selected Champion Township Fire Capt. Charles Joseph as Ohio Fire Officer of the Year.
He will be recognized during the 33rd annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame ceremonies.
“These awards are a tribute to those individuals and organizations whose overall contributions go beyond their basic duties and responsibilities and who represent the finest traditions of public service,” said Department of Commerce Director Andre Porter.
Joseph has served as a firefighter/paramedic since March 1992 and also served with the Braceville Fire Department starting in 1982.
In giving him the award, the Ohio Department of Public Safety said Joseph has “distinguished himself as not only a leader within the fire department, but within Trumbull County. His keen ability to adapt to stressful and difficult situations has garnered him the reputation of someone that the surrounding departments and chiefs can count on for guidance and leadership.”
He “became the backbone and stability of the department in the mid-2000s when the department transitioned through four fire chiefs between 2000 and 2006. His consistent firm and fair leadership was a calming presence for the membership during a very tumultuous time in the department’s history.”
Capt. Joseph’s award is among five given out by the Division of EMS. Others were Fire Educator Lifetime Achievement, Fire Service Instructor of the Year, Fire Prevention Educator of the Year, and Volunteer Fire Department of the year.