Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier, right, introduced Firefighter Philip Namlik, left, as the 2024 Firefighter of the Year during the City of Wheeling Public Safety Ceremony on Wednesday at WesBanco Arena.

WHEELING – Family members, friends and local leaders gathered at WesBanco Arena on Wednesday to recognize the efforts over the past year of those in Wheeling who truly step up to protect and serve the community.

The annual City of Wheeling Public Safety Ceremony was held to honor firefighters, police officers, paramedics and others for their heroic work. Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier and Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger presided over the ceremony to recognize recent promotions, honor retirees and present several awards for individuals in each department.

“The men and women of the safety forces of the city of Wheeling perform an extraordinary service every day,” Blazier said. “Today we’re here to recognize those members of each department who have gone above and beyond in their service to the community, as well as looking out for their brothers and sisters with which they serve.”

Several members of the fire department were honored during the ceremony, although a handful of honorees were unable to attend because they were either on duty or had prior commitments.

Firefighter Philip Namlik was recognized as the 2024 Firefighter of the Year. Blazier said that although he is still a young firefighter, Namlik has already received two lifesaving awards during his short career – one for a structure fire rescue and another for a river rescue. Namlik’s positive attitude, work ethic and teamwork mentality exemplify the department’s tradition of service, Blazier said.

Chosen by fellow members of the department, Lt. Nicholai Kefauver was named the 2024 Paramedic of the Year. Blazier said Kefauver’s outstanding work “checks all the boxes” – from his natural ability to mentor new EMTs to his excellent patient care, record keeping, readiness of life-saving equipment and rapport with staff and hospital personnel.

Capt. Jason Milton and Engineer Ryan Loveland were given special commendations for taking part in crisis intervention training with the Wheeling PD to hone expertise in dealing with patients suffering from drug addiction and mental health issues. Fire Engineer and Paramedic Jacob Howard was given the Meritorious Conduct award.

Several members of both the fire department, police department and members of the public were recognized for rescue efforts in responding to a serious motor vehicle crash that occurred just a month ago off of Interstate 70 westbound on March 13 before the entrance to the Wheeling Tunnel.

Officials said it was a challenging rescue, but crews came together to save the lives of those involved.

“Upon their arrival, they found a vehicle that plunged from the interstate 60 to 70 feet below to the Maintenance Trail, then the car rolled over the embankment towards Wheeling Creek, coming to rest against the I-70 bridge pier below,” Blazier said of the first responders. “The vehicle was heavily damaged, they had three seriously injured folks who were trapped in the vehicle, and it was precariously positioned to where it needed to be stabilized in order to safely access the patients and free them from the wreckage.”

Blazier said crews had to resort to extrication techniques only seen in “worst-case scenarios.” But efforts unfolded in a complimentary and coordinated manner that highlighted the skill and professionalism of those at the scene.

Capt. Nicholas Brown and Engineers Jacob Howard, Harry Myers and Nathan Vapner were given Non-Fire Unite Commendations for their efforts that day, and Engineers Daniel Brown and Brittany Gilbert, who orchestrated the rescue efforts, received Distinguished Service Medals. Brian Coyne of Ace Garage was presented with a Civilian Award for his work with tow truck equipment to help stabilize the vehicle during the difficult rescue.

The police department also recognized several individuals who responded to the March 13 crash.

Motorist Michael Kuzma of Marshall County witnessed the accident, pulled over to the side of the highway and “sprinted” to the aid of the crash victims, Schwertfeger noted. Kuzma was presented with an award for Meritorious Performance by a Civilian.

Special recognition for Meritorious Performance by police officers at the scene of the crash – some off-duty and others on-duty – was given to Cpl. Ryan Moore, Cpl. John McKenzie, Cpl. Gage Parker, Pfc. Howard Haglock, Pfc. Colin Jamison and Officer Nolan Brough. All of the officers jumped into action, and some who were among the first at the scene even climbed down a rope attached to a cruiser to get to the victims in the crashed vehicle over the hillside. Officers remained on the scene with crews from neighboring departments to assist WFD personnel in the rescue.

“All of those occupants in this crash that we’re talking about are on the road to recovery,” Schwertfeger said, noting that none of the victims sustained paralysis as some of the rescue personnel had initially feared.

Other Meritorious Performance awards were presented to officers for outstanding efforts during other recent incidents. St. Jason Hupp (two awards for separate incidents), Pfc. Zachary Stoneking (who was previously announced as the 2024 Officer of the Year for the Wheeling Police Department), Crime Analyst John Wroten, Sgt. Robert McConnell, Officer Zachary Herron, Lt. Ryan Ferrell, Cpl. Cayden Hennen, Cpl. Jacob Skinner and Cpl. Erick Burke were all recognized for exemplary work that included “textbook apprehension” of a wanted individual on Wheeling Island and a major drug trafficking investigation in East Wheeling.

Burke and Cpl. Jason Chambers were presented the Chief’s Eagle Award for their “strong visionary leadership, integrity and dedication” to the department’s mission, and Pfc. Shayne McAllister was awarded the Medal of Merit.

Schwertfeger also recognized members of the Wheeling Fire Department – Capt. Jason Milton and Engineer Ryan Loveland – with a Community Appreciation Award for their collaborative efforts with the police department – describing the relationship between the departments as one representing “the greater first-responder family.”

According to the police chief, the men and women in blue focus on the “Four ‘Ds’ to Success – Dedication, Discipline, Desire and Doing, as in doing the right things.” Schwertfeger highlighted “dedication,” or devoting time and energy to a particular purpose.

“The men and women here today and everyday recognize that purpose,” Schwertfeger said. “The purpose is the safety and wellbeing of all of our citizens and all of our visitors, the safety and wellbeing of one another as we provide this service to our communities.”

Schwertfeger welcomed new employee officer Trevor Adkins to the force during the ceremony.

For the fire department, eight new hires were pinned and will soon be on duty serving the city, Blazier said. The new FD hires include Matthew Beiter, Alexandra Burris, Nicholas O’Malley, Robert Chapman, Terry Newbegin, Scott Pekula, Griffin Stenger and Joseph Migyanko.

Engineer Brandon McFarland received his paramedic certification and Firefighter Joseph Carter received his EMT certification.

Promotions announced during the ceremony included William Ulrich and Courtney Jones to fire engineer, Nicholai Kefauver to Lieutenant and Eric Wodesky to Captain.

Recognition for Years of Service were given to Engineers Harry Myers, Ryan Loveland and Andrew Yahn for five years of service; Lt. Clayton Dietrich, Lt. Kody Geisel and Capt. Eric Wodesky for 10 years; and Lt. Richard Brown for 20 years of service.