Young among southwest Ohio heroes to be honored at Fire Service Hall of Fame & Fire Awards Ceremony May 14
The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal and the Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS will honor Paul Wright of Montgomery, David Young of Sardinia and the Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS at the 44th annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame & Awards on Wednesday, May 14.
The event will take place at 2 p.m. inside Gallery I at COSI, located at 333 W. Broad St. in downtown Columbus.
There are approximately 50,000 men and women who make up Ohio’s fire service. This awards ceremony recognizes the bravery, commitment and sacrifice they make daily on behalf of communities throughout the state.
With a career in the fire service spanning more than four decades, Wright will receive the Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award. He began his service in 1978 with the Montgomery Community Fire Company, where he now serves as the chief. Wright’s 45-year career is marked by exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, and profound contributions to the fire service at both the local and national levels. He has served as the president of the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association and currently chairs the Ohio Fire and Emergency Services Foundation.
Young will receive the Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award. Since joining the Sardinia Volunteer Fire Department in 1974, he has been a steadfast presence and a vital contributor to its growth, evolution, and success. As assistant chief, Young played a pivotal role in the formation of the Eastern Joint Fire and EMS District. Young’s nearly 50 years of selfless service stands as an enduring legacy of what it means to give back to one’s community.
The Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS will be recognized as the Fire Department of the Year. The department’s outstanding effort in education and training, both within the department and across the region, highlights its dedication to innovation and service to the community. CTFE has been committed to improving safety and efficiency by expanding joint training with regional partners and externally, has fostered deep connections within the community.
These individuals are among 22 honorees from across the state who will be recognized in the following categories:
2025 Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame & Fire Awards Citizen’s Award
Justin Thompson, Ford Amsbaugh, Kevin Jarvis, and Ronnie Smith (Ontario, Richland County)
Bill Hershberger and Karl Mounts (Orrville, Wayne County)
John Ehrsam and William Serries (Delta, Fulton County).
Fire Service Valor Award
Travis Birch (Newton Falls, Trumbull County)
Larry Walters (Medina, Medina County)
Schott Thomas, Tommy Gibbs, and Joseph Koziel (Youngstown, Mahoning County).
Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award
Brian Peterman (Millersburg, Holmes County)
Paul Wright (Montgomery, Hamilton County)
David Michael Young (Sardinia, Brown/Highland counties)
Jim Newland (Ridgeway, Hardin County)
David Gaffney (Bloomingdale, Jefferson County).
Ohio Fire Prevention Educator of the Year
Melissa Gammell (Stow, Summit County)
Ohio Fire Service Instructor of the Year
Douglas Robinson (University Heights, Cuyahoga County)
Ohio Fire Officer of the Year
Kevin Joseph Watts (Whitehall, Franklin County)
Ohio Fire Department of the Year
Colerain Township Fire and EMS (Cincinnati, Hamilton County).
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