At the yearly event, retirees are honored and thanked. Those that have passed away are remembered and given final words of recognition. Amazing Grace and Taps are played, then after a moment of silence the new Junior Fire Chief Ainsley Tracey reads her winning essay. The new hires are sworn in, the Meritorious Service Award is given out, and this year The City of Lakewood’s Public Safety Civilian Act of Valor Award is given. Following the festivities, the public is invited to stay and talk with those in attendance, share some food and a beverage, and check out Station 1.
Every year is special, but this one had the addition of The City of Lakewood’s Public Safety Civilian Act of Valor Award
which was awarded to Jorge A. Ragghianti.
On September 18, 2022, Jorge, a security guard, notice smoke coming from a car parked behind Rise Dispensary on Madison. As he walked over to check it out, the car erupted in flames. It was at this time Jorge became aware that a child was in the car. He tried to get him out and couldn’t, the doors were locked. He then ran to his car and got his tire iron. Running back to the car, now engulfed in flames, he broke out the window and got a boy out. He then became aware of a second child in the car and went to the other side, breaking out the window and pulling the second child to safety. At that point he made sure they were safely away, then collapsed. As Fire Chief Dunphy said to me after the event. “I love my guys and the tremendous job they do for the city. But if Jorge had not been there, those kids would be dead today.”
When you hear stories like Jorge’s, when you see children reading their essays on safety, when you see good people retire, and good people get hired, it really makes your whole day, week, month better.
What follows is the program for the ceremony and some photos.
Firefighter Recognition Ceremony 2022\
Lakewood Fire Department
14601 Madison Ave., Lakewood, Ohio 44107
AGENDA
All Companies Assemble
Lakewood Fire Department Color Guard
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #25
87th Pipes and Drums
Opening Hymn
87th Pipes and Drums
Opening Comments
Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy
Master of Ceremonies
Fire Marshal Ryan Fairbanks
Opening Prayer
Reverend James Heffner
Junior Fire Chief Presentation
Fire Marshal Ryan Firebanks
5th Grader Ainsley Tracey
She caught everyone's attention.
You can read and see more of Ainsley as she gets a ride to school in a fire truck at:
http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewt ... =7&t=26565
Hail and Farewell
Recognition of Retirees
Assistant Chief James Bennett
Captain Peter Hempfling
Firefighter Paul Jeske
Firefighter Jeff Kantorak
Firefighter John Polha
Paramedic Mary Sidell
Captain Peter Hempfling, also known for his flight with the Blue Angels!
Retiring paramedic Mary Sidell
Recognition of Deceased Retirees
Richard Given
Flag lowered...
Taps played.
Swearing In Ceremony
Mayor Meghan George
Assistant Chief Nicholas Sambula
Captain Christian Flores
Captain Josh Erdani
Firefighter/Paramedic Ian Murray
Firefighter/Paramedic Cullen Marvin
Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth Reeb
Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Kovacs
Firefighter/Paramedic Cameron Green
Firefighter/Paramedic Jared Yocabet
Firefighter/Paramedic Michael O’Connell
Awards Ceremony
Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy
Police Chief Kevin Kaucheck
Division of Public Safety Civilian Act of Valor Award
Jorge A. Ragghianti
Meritorious Service Award
Captain Josh Erdani
Benediction
Reverend James Heffner
Closing Remarks
Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy
Thank you Lakewood Fire, Police, City of Lakewood, Junior Fire Chief Ainsley Tracey, Jorge A. Ragghianti, Horace Mann and Lakewood City Schools. I can’t wait till next year.
You can see all of the photos from this at: http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... chief-2022
.