ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - They work to keep us all safe every day, and the Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition made sure they got recognized for their efforts.
The winners are picked from a group of nominations that come from the public.
This is the 26th year for the Safe Community Awards. The award categories included emergency medical services, fire safety, and engineering. The winners are picked from a group of nominations that come from the public. Ten people or agencies won awards this year for what they do to help keep visitors and residents of Allen County safe.
Ten people or agencies won awards this year for what they do to help keep visitors and residents of Allen County safe.
"It's a hard, thankless job that many of these people have. Just as we mentioned earlier too, that day in and day out they are working hard. They are missing family events; they are missing so many things that many of us take for granted. They sacrificed; they put their lives on the line for us every day," says Megan Kinnear, public outreach for the Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition.
- The Child Safety Award went to Sarah Misiakiewicz of Allen County Public Health.
- The Youth Safety Award went to David McDaniel from Kruisin' Driving School.
- The Outstanding Citizen Award went to speaker and author Carolyn Wilkerson.
- The Engineering Safety Award went to the City of Lima's Ross Vennekotter.
- The EMS/Fire Safety Award went to Nathan Haines and Tanesha Manley, both of the Lima Fire Department.
- The Traffic Safety Award went to Trooper Travis Ricker of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Sergeant David Boyles of the American Township Police Department.
- The Services Award Training & Education Award went to Chief Gene Smith of Mercy Health and Deputy Chief Lee Short of the Lima Fire Department.
- The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Jeff Orphal of Apollo Career Center and retired Judge Richard Warren of the Lima Municipal Court.
