PUNTA GORDA — Charlotte County Public Safety recently celebrated bravery, lifesaving actions and dedicated service during its annual Public Safety Appreciation & Recognition Banquet.
The event honored personnel who exemplify the department’s mission of ensuring the health and safety of the community by delivering exceptional fire and EMS services, according to a news release.
Among the evening’s highest honors were Medals of Valor presented to four Charlotte County Fire & EMS members for their actions during the McGuire Fire on Nov. 13. They are Firefighter/EMT Jacob Franklin, Firefighter/EMT Mitchell Hardesty, Firefighter/EMT Gavin Morgan and Firefighter/EMT Benjamin Hahn-Vazquez
Despite extreme conditions, crews entered the burning home and worked together to remove a trapped patient through a window, ultimately saving the patient’s life.
Their decisive actions, coordinated teamwork and extraordinary courage exemplify the bravery recognized by the Medal of Valor, one of the highest honors a first responder can receive.
The Firefighter of the Year Award went to Nicholas Russo.
Firefighter-EMT of the Year is Marshall Campbell.
The Paramedic of the Year is Lt. Nathan McCarty.
Lt. Jefferson Mendel was named Officer of the Year.
Lt. Jarrod Gavagni won the CARES Award, and Bobby Matheis was presented the Keystone Award.
The “Pawsitive Impact” Award went to Animal Control Officer Brianna Beattie
And the Stork Awards, presented to personnel who played a role in the successful delivery of a baby before arriving at the hospital, were given to Tavi Cooley and Austin Driggs.
Phoenix Awards, presented to those who played a role in the successful resuscitation and recovery of a cardiac arrest patient, included:
Fabio Acosta, Lonjino Aguirre, Ryan Atwood, Lt. Onelio Baez, Jerel Betancourt, Nathan Boyette, Lt. Beau Brown, Juan Carlos Cadenas, Zachary Cain, Ludgeor Cameus, Marshall Campbell, Lt. Michael Connor, Corey Davis, Cole Devore, Michael Downs, Steven Dunn, Brian Fraley, Lt. Lee Folkers, Lenar Gabdrakhmanov, Carter Germonprez, Larry Golden, Benjamin Hahn-Vazquez, Joshua Hammack, Lt. Joseph Harris, Juan Hernandez, Jacob Holland, Brayden Hollbrook, Brandon Hurley, Raul Ignacio, Breanna Jacobs, Lt. Jon Jensen, Alexander Jimenez, Brett Johnson, Michael Keeney, Kevin Knipe, Lt. Darren Lamb, Lt. Kelly Lechleidner, Dennis Locker, Maksim Martinson, Logan Massie, Leighton McManus, Lt. Michael McNeeley, Scott Miller, Max Minucci, Andrew Pekar, Kevin Perez, Gavin Planas, Luis Ramos Mancera, Lt. Andrew Robinson, Roselyn Romaguera, Gloyd Stadel, Branden Stepp, Evan Sutta, Brandon Thornton, Caleb Van Helden, Lt. William Van Helden, Jordan Velazquez-Ridley, Andrew Verwey, Kyle Vulgamore, Carl Walker, Caleb Way, Blake Wightman and Lt. James Wilcox.
“These awards reflect the courage, compassion and commitment our personnel demonstrate every day,” Public Safety Director/Fire Chief Matthew McElroy stated in the news release. “From acts of extraordinary bravery to lifesaving medical care and dedicated service behind the scenes, each honoree represents the very best of Charlotte County Public Safety and our commitment to serving the community.”
Charlotte County Public Safety sent along its appreciation to AdventHealth Port Charlotte, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital, HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, TGH Aeromed and Bayflite/Air Methods for “generous support” in making the Appreciation & Recognition Banquet possible, the news release stated.