Western Reserve Joint Fire District firefighters recognized for service

December 4, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

LOWELLVILLE

Western Reserve Joint Fire District Assistant Fire Chief Tony Sferra was named the department’s Officer of the Year for 2016, and several other firefighters were recognized for life-saving actions and job performances during the year.

Sferra, who has been with the fire department for 53 years, is retiring from the department at the end of the year. He also is a retired Poland Township police detective.

The recognition awards were presented during the fire department’s annual awards banquet at Bogey’s Riverside Banquet Center.

Emergency Medical Services Provider of the Year awards were presented to First Responder Scott O’Hara and EMT Chris Kotheimer, who also received a life-saving award. Personal Achievement Awards were presented to Steve Stilson, John Gulgas, Sean Guy and Nick Shuluga.

LIFE SAVING AWARDS

Abigail Cline, Robert Clement and Lt. Tony Tucci, for treating a worker whose right arm was degloved in an workplace accident on Sept. 16 on State Line Road.

Lt. Daniel Wright, Christian Kotheimer and Rachel Madden, administered CPR and Narcan for an opiate overdose July 29 on Arrel Road.

Abigail Cline and Steven Stilson for a CPR save Sept. 29, on College Street.

Lt. Lonnie Warren Jr., Sean Guy, Scott O’Hara, Kyle Conklin and Ron Womack, for a CPR save Oct. 2 on East McKinley Way.

David Chapman, Christian Kotheimer, Scott O’Hara and John Walsh, for CPR and Narcan save, Oct. 9 on North Caroline Place.

PERSONAL UNIT AWARDS

Firefighters John Walsh, incident commander Dr. Jake Zimmerman and Matt Kello, for the Sept. 16 incident on State Line Road.

Conner O’Halloran, Al Rivalsky, Alan Clark, Tim Clavin, Rick Deemer and Cole Baird for providing CPR in an attic with no floor and performing extrication of the patient March 11 on Walker Mill Road.

Fire Chief Atty. Chip Comstock said the awards are to recognize contributions to the fire department and to the community and its residents.

“They make a difference in people’s lives,” Comstock said.