Cathy Byers
First Responder Affiliation
Firefighter
Fair haven fire department
Tell us about your First Responder, years service, special awards, and any other information you feel pertinent.
I hope all first responders know how much they are loved and appreciated by there community. I would like to take this opportunity to nominate my friend Cathy Byers. She works her regular job along with being captain,safety officer and board member for fair haven fire department. In her spare time she goes above and beyond to help people out by mowing lawns and odd jobs. She loves her family, friends and her two adorable kitties,. Puddy and buddy. She is an amazing role model and friend. I would love the opportunity to show her that her efforts are noticed and appreciated.
David Nichols
Paramedic with Oswego County Ambulance(Mentor) Paramedic Track Safety ever Friday nite at Brewerton Speedway Paramedic Track Safety at Fulton Speedway every Saturday night
18 years of service.
Works 60-70 hours every week and on his days off picks up extra shifts.
Loves this job and loves helping people everywhere.
Accepted job at Crouse Hospital in the ER.
Will continue with Mentor Ambulance on his days off from the hospital. He goes above and beyond in all he does!
Police Officer Ken Baker
Police / Sheriff / Law Enforcement
Name of Affiliation Ex. “Name” Syracuse Police Department
Tell us about your First Responder, years service, special awards, and any other information you feel pertinent.
The first responder I nominate has taught me many lessons in life including bravery, courage and respect.
It’s an honor to call him Dad.
My father Ken Baker has served street patrol for the City of Syracuse Police Department for 39 years. He has fought the never ending battle of crime, medical calls and is dedicated to providing safety to the entire city along with his brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement. I couldn’t count the numerous calls he’s been dispatched to or what he’s gone through in his career, he makes me so proud. They say there’s only 2% of the population willing to take the oath of officer, but there must only be .2% that will serve 40yrs.
I’m happy to know he’ll be retiring in the next year and that’s why I choose my Dad, SPD PO Ken Baker as 92.1 First Responder of the week!
Thin Blue Line Family
Kyle Sager
* Firefighter * EMS
Name of Affiliation Ex. “Name” Fire Dept Bridgeport Fire Department
Tell us about your First Responder, years service, special awards, and any other information you feel pertinent.
On January 1st, Kyle responded to a call that happened to be right around the corner from his house. When he pulled up to the scene, there was a half submerged vehicle in a deep pond. Without thinking twice, Kyle jumped in to save the driver. Kyle is a local Bridgeport hero and is always humble and kind. He is getting Married next month and is a wonderful father figure to his son, Nicholas. He is a wonderful young gentleman and is always giving a lending hand.
Tell us about your First Responder, years service, special awards, and any other information you feel pertinent.
I’d like to nominate Samantha Smith. Samantha has been a member of the Hastings Fire department for 6 years. She joined the department as soon as she turned 16 l. In those 6 years she has became a interior fire fighter and a EMT. Every opportunity she has to learn something new or a better way of doing something that could help someone she takes. Sam is also a member of Mcfee Ambulance and a scuba diver with Oswego County’s Dive team. But being a member of those three agencies isn’t enough, she currently is going to nursing school at OCC with her ultimate goal of becoming working in the ER. – Cody Pericho
Jeff VanBeveren
Tell us about your First Responder, years service, special awards, and any other information you feel pertinent.
Jeff is a 23 year Paramedic who is passionate and dedicated to helping those in need. It is important to recognize professionals like Jeff who have dedicated their lives to helping others. The kind of heart and bravery that it takes to calmly and professionally help their patients in an emergency situation is something that most of us would not be capable of, or even be able to comprehend. Emergency medical professionals like Jeff can leave work at the end of the day knowing they made a profound difference in someone’s life, while at other times having to carry the pain of loss and human tragedy. In his many years as a emergency medical professional he has experienced plenty of both. It is for these reasons and so many others that I feel that Jeff is so deserving of this recognition, along with all police, fire, and EMS personnel.
Jimmy Peet
Jimmy has been involved in the fire service since the age of 16, starting out in the Mexico Fire Department then becoming a ‘bunk in’ in Dewitt then Liverpool while attending college. Jimmy earned his EMT certification when he was in high school, currently completing his Paramedic studies, and decided to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps with the fire service. His grandfather was diagnosed with cancer then passed very soon after his diagnosis. Jimmy promised his grandfather he would become a firefighter just like him, and has held up his promise.
Jimmy has continued to go above and beyond his his field and training. Perhaps you remember the man that was in a fiery car crash on 690 and EMT’s that pulled him from the burning vehicle – one of the EMT’s was my son Jimmy. He has been recognized by the Liverpool Fire Department for his many accomplishments, and is always complimented by his colleagues for his patient care techniques. Jimmy is a blessing to the emergency services community and deserves the recognition. Thank you for recognizing all members of the emergency services field – a field that is very humbling, and rewarding at the same time.
Bob Smith
Bob Smith deserves to be recognized as First Responder of the week. Not only is he an amazing father and husband, he will be the first person to help anyone in a time of need. Within the first two years of joining the Caughdenoy Volunteer Fire Department, Bob was honored as a top 10 responder, and Fire Fighter of the Year. My favorite story of his work with the fire department is when he helped save a horse from a swimming pool in the middle of winter. No matter what the call, he drops what he is doing to go help. He also won the Red Cross Hero Award for his work saving the life of a coworker at a holiday party. He works so hard for others, I would love the opportunity to give him a special night out to focus on him!
Detective Tom Murfitt
This first responder is very close and special to my heart, I’m lucky enough to call him my father. Not only has he served his full time as a police officer and is now able to retire but he also continues to make a difference when he’s off-duty. I’ve seen him out of work and the way he treats strangers, and helps others in need when he technically doesn’t have to. There have been times where he’d see a problem and go help a fellow police officer even if they weren’t from the same department. Not only does it help my siblings and I realize how dedicated he is to his job and fellow workers but it also shows us how great of a father and person he is. He’s the strongest, kindest man I’ve ever met and many people would agree with me. He’s someone we definitely look up to and I’m so proud to call this man my father. I can’t think of another person who would be more worthy of being acknowledged for the work that he does.
Mark Shetsky – City of Syracuse Fire Dept.
We thought it only right to honor Mark with the 1st Responder of the Week! Mark is a strong sole who has been through so much as of recent. He lost his daughter in a tragic incident while dropping her off for pre-school. Mark has always gone above and beyond for his family and of course the residents of Syracuse. Thank you Mark – Stay Strong! ~ Skip Clark 92.1 The WOLF
John Waldron Jr. has been a member of Moyers Corners for almost 3 years now but also has prior experience with Barneveld Fire Dept and Mattydale. His love for firefighting started at a very young age watching his dad and uncle both in the fire service. He became an explorer with Mattydale to start in the Fire service before he was even 18. He is now going through driver training to get qualified on the ladder out of his station, he is already qualified on the engine and squad. He is also looking to take more classes in the Fire service to continue his education. He dedicates his time at least 2 evening a week on top of his full time job to go down to the station to train, help train others, and make sure the equipment and fire trucks are well maintained and ready to go. He also tries to make as many calls as he can while balancing time between his job and his wife and kids at home.
I nominate Ashley Smith for The Wolfe 92.1 first responder of the week. Ashley is a Police Officer with the Town of Cicero Police Department. Her career in law enforcement started in 2008 and she has been with her current agency since 2013. she has advanced her career in law enforcement by obtaining instructor certifications in various law enforcement related fields and continues to better herself day by day. Ashley is an upstanding police officer and her bravery, heroism and outstanding courage will not go unnoticed.
This hard work and determination is also demonstrated beyond the badge with her dedication to health and wellness.
Her acts of exceptional valor need to be recognized and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to nominate such an amazing person /friend/ wingman(woman.) All this aside, Ashley is an amazing person who always seem to put a smile on your face 🙂
I nominate Greg Baird for the First Responder award. Greg has committed his life to community service of different types. He was active duty Air Force for 29 years, which any branch of the service in of itself is the ultimate first responder career. At the present time Greg is in the Reserves while working his regular job. We live in a small town that only has volunteers for Fire and EMS. Greg is a member of our town’s fire department and has been a firefighter for 24 years. He has received numerous awards through the years for being any exemplary role model. Even in everyday life Greg is a first responder helping neighbors with projects, chores and personal crises. He does it all while being humble and kind, (someone paid for his sandwich last week and he was embarrassed!) He is a role model for our town and his own family so much so that his wife, son and daughter are all volunteers also for our fire department. Thank you Greg and family.
Tim Kennedy
Asst. Chief Baldwinsville Fire Dept.
Assistant Chief Tim Kennedy joined the fire department as a kid when he was 13. He has been in the department for 14 years and has moved up the ranks from fire fighter, Lieutenant, Captain, and now assistant chief. He goes above and beyond to make sure that all the members in the department have the most up to date training. He has 40% of alarms that our department runs and works at the local Ambulance Corp. He just recently was recognized through FASNY (Firemans Association State of New York) with honorable mention for a house fire we had back on May 3, 2015 for going into a fully involved house fire to rescue a little girl. Ontop of being in a Volunteer department and working, he has a wife and 2 kids; which he still finds time to go to all of their games to watch them!
Michael Heister
Syracuse Fire department
My husband grew up in the city of Syracuse (Nottingham High School Grad ’01). We have been dating since our junior year of high school. He went into the military, serving in the Army in Iskandariyah, Iraq. When he returned the the States and was discharged he moved to Brooklyn where I had moved after college and was teaching in the NYC city schools. He became a firefighter with the FDNY. When he and I had our twins in fall of 2013, we began looking for ways to move from the city back to our hometown, wanting to raise children in Syracuse. We moved back in summer of 2014 and my husband was able to transfer to the Syracuse Fire Department. He is a true hero in every sense of the word, risking his life for his country, and everyday for the people of Syracuse. ~ Maureen Heister
(Solon Quinn photography)
All of Central NY Salutes You!
Christopher Meyer
Christopher Meyer has been with the Mexico Volunteer Fire Department for 13 years. He was previously a lieutenant for several years as we’ll as firfighter of the year in 2014. Chris now has taken over fire prevention week for the Mexico Elementary School. Chris is not only a firefighter at Mexico but is also on the Emergency Response Team at The Sunoco Ethanol Plant in Fulton, NY. He is always looking to give back to his community in any way he can. He is the third generation of firefighters in his family.
I nominate my husband, Jason Wright. What can’t I say about him, words can’t express what Jason and the other deputies that work in his pass group do each day. What I can tell you is that he doesn’t just do this job because it’s a job. People who go into law enforcement, EMT, military have a calling for it. He strives to make an impact with the people he meets everyday. He’s been on car accidents, house fires (where he’s gone not the house looking for people inside), he’s gone on a call where an armed man barricade himself inside and Sgt. Beckwith and my husband talked this guy out. He’s attented some of the worst calls involving children. What hasn’t he done, I ask you? What hasn’t he seen? I do have to mention, that I really can’t just nominate him. You see, anyone who knows the “Job” realizes that these deputies work in groups. Without Sgt, Carl Kruger, Deputy Joe Bill, Aimee Edwards, Dwayne Wisby, and Sgt. Beckwith, John O’Neil my Jason might not make it home to our family.
Angelic, Wright
While every first responder willingly sacrifices their own well being
in an effort to help others, few have done so to the extent that my
dad has. A man of many hats (literally!), he has served as a first
responder in Syracuse for over 40 years. Following in his father’s
footsteps, he volunteered as a firefighter at an early age and has
continued to serve for Fairmount Fire Department all of these years
later, even serving as chief in 2008. He has won countless awards,
including several life saving awards (one for saving the life of a
fellow firefighter), Firefighter of the Year, and the Hank Boynton
Award to name a few. When he wasn’t rushing into burning buildings,
he was patrolling the streets of Syracuse as a police officer for 30
years. Upon retiring from the City of Syracuse police department, he
became a member of the Town of Camillus police department. He has
since left that line of work to pursue working for WAVES as an EMT,
training he had already acquired from his work as a firefighter. Even
when he is “off duty”, he is always there to lend a helping hand
to perfect strangers. Just the other night we were having dinner, the
buzzer rang, and he left to assist with the house explosion in
Fairmount a few streets away from ours. We have been to family dinners
at restaurants and there have been instances where he has even had to
leave that table to help someone who has collapsed. After decades of
service he has just recently voiced that he is feeling emotional
fatigue from all that he has encountered while fulfilling his duties
for his community. I hope that you will consider him as the First
Responder of the Week as a source of encouragement, and as a positive
reminder of how thankful we are for all of his efforts in fields that
undoubtedly have their shares of heartaches.
Submitted by: Melissa Unz