Ohio heroes to be honored at Hall of Fame & Fire Awards Ceremony April 24

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal and Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS will honor Springfield (Clark County) firefighters Robert Bloom and Aaron Lopez with its Valor Award, along with Eaton (Preble County) siblings Drake and Andrew Carrell with its Citizen Award, at the 43rd annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame & Fire Awards on Wednesday, April 24. The ceremony will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. inside Gallery I at COSI, located at 333 W. Broad St. in Columbus.

This ceremony takes place each year to recognize the valor, dedication and exemplary service of fire service members from across the state.

Fire Service Valor Award recipients Robert Bloom and Aaron Lopez, who are both firefighters with Springfield Fire Department, will be recognized for their response following an apartment explosion caused by natural gas in April 2023.
 
After being informed that a child was trapped inside, and despite the uncontrolled fire and potential for further collapse, Bloom and Lopez entered the building in search of the child. Navigating through debris and flames, they reached the second floor where they found the child alive and carried him to safety. Their courageous actions led to the safe rescue of the child, earning them high praise from Springfield Fire Chief Jacob King for their exceptional bravery and selflessness.
 
Citizen Award recipient brothers Drake, 21, and Andrew Carrell, 18, are being honored for their heroic actions in which they saved all nine members of their family from a house fire in March 2023. Alerted by smoke alarms, investigators lauded Drake and Andrew for their quick thinking and leadership in devising an evacuation plan, waking their family members and guiding their siblings to safety despite the smoke and flames.

In breaking a window to create an exit, Drake sustained serious injuries requiring medical attention, including 27 staples for a deep cut and stitches for a hand injury. Most of the children were taken to the emergency room for treatment of their injuries, but recovered. The quick actions of Drake and Andrew helped to prevent a potential tragedy.
 
During this year’s ceremony, Bloom, Lopez and the Carrell brothers will be among 11 individuals from across Ohio to be honored in the following categories:
 
2024 Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame & Fire Awards
Citizens Award
Drake & Andrew Carrell, Eaton, Preble County 

Fire Service Valor Award
Robert Bloom, Aaron Lopez, Springfield Fire Department, Springfield, Clark County

Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award
James Delman, Bridgeport, Belmont County  
Jack Guyton, Radnor, Delaware County
Robert Lloyd, Fairport Harbor, Lake County
Glenn Michael Ullom, Centerburg, Knox County

Ohio Fire Service Instructor of the Year
Courtney Kelly, Lowellville, Mahoning County 

Ohio Fire Prevention Educator of the Year
Angela Potter, Copley, Summit County

Ohio Fire Officer of the Year
Shawn McKelvey, Fredericksburg, Wayne County

Ohio Fire Educator Lifetime Achievement
Charles Dixon, Granville, Licking County


Ohio Fire Department of the Year
Pomeroy Fire Department, Pomeroy, Meigs County.

There are approximately 50,000 dedicated men and women who serve in Ohio’s fire service. The awards ceremony recognized the bravery, commitment and sacrifice those men and women make on behalf of their communities.

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