Cleveland firefighters honored at ceremony for going 'above and beyond the call of duty'

CLEVELAND - As part of Fire Prevention Week, a special awards ceremony was held Wednesday at Cleveland City Hall to honor Cleveland firefighters who have gone "above and beyond the call of duty" in 2012.

Mayor Frank Jackson, Director of Public Safety Martin Flask and Acting Fire Chief Timothy O'Toole were on hand the present the awards and commendations.

Family and friends applauded with pride when firefighters received the following awards:

Firefighter of the Year
Firefighter Matthew Holian

Engine Company of the Year
Engine Company #36

Hook & Ladder Company of the Year
Ladder Company #4

Gerald Haney Rescue Squad Company of the Year
Technical Task Force 13

Paramedic of the Year
Lt. Alan Dewaele

Fire Prevention Inspector of the Year
Firefighter Robert Grace

Fire Arson Investigator of the Year
Detective Rick Jinna

Fire Dispatcher of the Year
Lt. Marlon Dennis

Officer of the Year
Capt. Patrick Gallagher

William E. Lee Battalion Chief Award
Battalion Chief Michael Heil

Howard Evans Community Service Award
Community Risk Reduction Program

Thomas Andrews Fire Service Award
Firefighter Joseph Von Alt

Chief's Award
Paul Nelson

Individual commendations for exemplary service and unit citations were also presented.

Citizens of the Year awards were presented to Michael Graves, John Kikol and William Sinclair.

Sinclair heard a woman screaming for help from the second floor of her house that caught fire. He used a garden hose to try to extinguish the fire and was able to keep flames from spreading up the side of the house. He helped keep the woman calm until Cleveland firefighters arrived.