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Ocean City Today
FEBRUARY 12, 2016
Ocean City firefighters honored at ceremony Lt. Kinhart named Fire/EMS Paramedic of the Year, Lt. Magee Firefighter of the Year By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Feb. 12, 2016) For many, fleeing from danger seems natural, but for firefighters, and other first responders, jumping into a perilous situation is done without a second thought for personal safety. Last Saturday, the Ocean City Fire Department held its third annual awards ceremony to honor some for particular incidents of bravery and others for multiple decades of service. Helping to recognize award recipients at the banquet, which was held at the Holiday Inn at 66th Street, were local dignitaries Sen. Jim Mathias, Delegate Mary Beth Carozza, County Commissioners Joe Mitrecic and Bud Church, as well as Ocean City Town Council Members Mary Knight, Wayne Hartman and Matt James. Michael LeCompte, who received a 35-year length-of-service award, like many singled out for praise, looked less than comfortable with the individual attention. In an interview after the ceremony, he was quick to deflect the personal accolades. “It’s a great team effort,” he said. Much as an apple tends to land near its tree of origin, LeCompte noted that his father was a firefighter in Cambridge, crediting him for instilling a similar value system. “I’m in it because I enjoy being with people and I enjoy helping people when they’re in a crisis situation,” he said. Despite the time commitment the job entails, LeCompte said emergency responders typically worry more about helping others than anything else. “People that care about other people,” he said. “Their training is put to use to help people they don’t even know.” Also receiving length-of-service honors were Joshua Bunting Jr. who has spent 40 years with the fire department. Rex Foxwell was recognized for 30 years of service, Michael Giardina and James Jester each were honored for 25 years of service. 15 years of service awards went to: William Tilghman, Kathleen Hartley, William Kuhn II, Robert Magee, Eric Peterson, Duane Phillips, Alan Schweitzer, Bryon Trimble, Joshua Bunting III, David Peterson. 10 years of service awards went to: Rancel Evans, Clifford Christello. 5 years of service awards went to: Eric Olson, Marvin Timmons Jr., Joseph Lessman, Andrew King, Anthony Villani. Awards presented for outstanding service to the company and the community were: • Fire/EMS Paramedic of the Year: Lt. Nicholas Kinhart
GREG ELLISON/OCEAN CITY TODAY
GREG ELLISON/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Lt. Nicholas Kinhart is honored as the Fire/ EMS division Paramedic of the Year during the third annual Ocean City Fire Department Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Saturday at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront Hotel on 67th Street.
Sen. Jim Mathias, left, expresses heartfelt gratitude to Joshua J. Bunting, Jr. for 40 years of service to the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department, while his wife, Yvonne Bunting, and fellow firefighting sons. Capt. Brad Bunting and Capt. Josh Bunting join him on stage to share in the moment.
• Fire/EMS Firefighter of the Year: Lt. Robert Magee • OCVFC Division Firefighter of the Year: Lt. Sean Goggin • OCVFC Training Award: Frederick Senger IV • OCVFC Member of the Year: Marvin Timmons • OCVFC Chief’s Award: Chief Bryant Bunting • OCVFC President’s Award: Roger Steger • Honorable Service: Rex Foxwell and Delbert Baker, Jr. • Special Recognition / OCFD Marine Unit: Michael Chester Citizen Service awards were given to Keegan Mitchell and Mason Farr for individual acts of bravery when both jumped into life saving mode without waiting for backup. Farr, at a mere seven years of age, was easily the youngest honoree. Last summer Farr’s swimming abilities came in handy when his aunt, Jenny Mama, began struggling to keep her head above water in a pool. “I realized my aunt was in trouble so I jumped in to save her life,” he said Despite his small stature, Farr was able to push his aunt up out of the pool, averting a potential tragedy. A Unit Citation was awarded to Yesim Karaman and Joey Sexauer for their work to improve international student safety. “We were able to reach and touch every J-1 student,” Karaman said. Life Saving Commendations were awarded for two incidents, the Lazy Lizard fire in February 2015 and the 33rd Street water rescue last September. The fire at Lazy Lizard trapped an individual with physical disabilities, who emergency responders were able to rescue. In the latter, both firefighters and Ocean City Beach Patrol managed to save two children and three adults from drowning after
GREG ELLISON/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Lt. Connor Braniff, left, Councilman Matt James and firefighter Eric Olson, right, look humbled to receive a Life-Saving Commendation for rescuing two children and three adults who got caught in severe riptides last September off 33rd Street. Two other honorees, Michael Arbin and Miguel Castanares, were not able to attend the awards ceremony. Ocean City Beach Patrol also assisted in the successful effort to save the handful of individuals.
being caught in a strong riptide. Life Saving Commendation / Lazy Lizard: Capt. Joshua Bunting III, Ryan Whittington, Robert Korb. Life Saving Commendation / 33rd Street water rescue: Lt. Connor Braniff, Eric Olson, Matt James, Miguel Castanares, Michael Arbin. Incident citations were awarded to a multitude of individuals involved in the above occurrences as well as a case from June whne passengers got stuck on a roller coaster at Jolly Roger’s amusement park. Incident Citation / Jolly Roger: Asst. Chief Bryant Bunting, Capt. Kathleen Hartley, Lt. Nicholas Kinhart, Timothy Peters, Christopher Gee, Stephen Twilley, Parker Shandrowsky, Timothy Jerscheid, Cory Brown, Garret Piel. Incident Citation / Lazy Lizard: Asst. Chief Bryant Bunting, Capt. Trevor Steedman, Ret. Lt. Del Baker, Lt. Jeff Aperance, Lt. Connor
Braniff, William Tilghman. Incident Citation / 33rd Street water rescue: Capt. Doug Scott, Lt. David Peterson, Lt. Jeff Aperance, Russell Smith, Daniel Ebling, Sean Sullivan, Dan Wills, Norman Bradford, Melissa Brown, Lt. John Fisher, Lt. Darrick Elliott, Bryon Trimble, Colby Bunting, Heather White, Ryan Whittington, Bill Tilghman, Ward Kovac, Vinnie Tomiselli, Sgt. Timothy Uebel, Sgt. Ben Davis; Sgt. Jeffrey Brabitz, Crew Chief Kevin Johnson, Crew Chief Thomas Mechling, Crew Chief David Haight, Crew Chief Travis Sevier, Crew Chief Paul Vassalotti, Crew Chief Elizabeth Vander Clute, Asst. Crew Chief William Wilkinson, Asst. Crew Chief William Gray, Asst Crew Chief Joshua Wilder, Asst. Crew Chief David Krabbe, SRT Omar Harmon, SRT Bryan McElwain, SRT Christopher Brennan, SRT Cameron Shaw.