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First responders honored for service

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Sixteen first responders who selflessly sacrifice their time and energy to protect others were honored during an Oct. 24 banquet at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland.
More than 200 people gathered for the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce’s 49th annual Emergency Service Awards dinner as the event returned to an in-person format after being held virtually last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“You risk everything to keep us safe, and these past few years, your efforts carry an extra risk due to the coronavirus,” said banquet emcee Brad Segall of the Segall Media Group.
“Firefighters, emergency medical technicians and countless other first responders have always been held in high esteem, and no more so than in the post-9/11 world in which we live.”
Distinguished Honorees from all around Bucks County recognized at the banquet were: Douglas Torp, Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance & Rescue Squad; Nicholas Oyster, Point Pleasant-Plumsteadville EMS; Nicholas Boyle, Warrington Community Ambulance Corps; Michael Beebie, Chalfont Chemical Fire Engine Company No. 1; Michael Kleban, Doylestown Fire Company No. 1; Donald Rogers, Hartsville Fire Company; Carter Rowe, Ivyland Fire Company; Mark Smith, Midway Volunteer Fire Company; Kristopher Taylor, New Hope Eagle Fire Company.
Also: Jordan Schoeller, Perkasie Fire Company; John Turner, Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company; James Martin, Point Pleasant Fire Company No. 1; Nick Sturgis, Southampton Fire Company No. 1; Daniel Dewald, Warminster Fire Company; Anthony Rubas, Warrington Township Fire Company and Heidi Chen, Warwick Township Fire Company No. 1.
Each received a plaque, plus citations from U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and the state representative from their legislative district.
The recipients contribute to their units in many different ways, including responding to numerous calls, undergoing extensive training to augment their skills, helping to train other responders, teaching EMS classes and contributing to and maintaining their agencies’ websites and social media platforms.
“For most of us, it’s human nature and in our DNA to run away from danger,” Fitzpatrick said. “But the people being honored here tonight do the opposite, they run toward danger at great physical and emotional risk. I can’t think of a more honorable way to lead a life.”

Other officials who spoke at the banquet were Bucks County Commissioners Chairwoman Diane Ellis-Marseglia, Doylestown Health Community and Government Affairs Director Heather Cevasco, Doylestown Borough Mayor Ronald Strouse, state Sen. Steve Santarsiero and state Reps. Wendi Thomas, Meghan Schroeder and Todd Polinchock.
“This has been a trying time, and the fact that you have stepped up under these circumstances is just another example of why you exemplify the very best,” Santarsiero told the first responders.
“Everything you do every day is special,” Thomas added. “We need more people like you.”
In addition to the 16 first responders, Sellersville resident and Pennridge High School junior Sean Whitehurst also was honored.
Whitehurst, 16, an experienced lifeguard and cliff diver and a member of Pennridge’s swim and water polo teams, received the Wawa Everyday Hero Award.
In August, Whitehurst dove into turbulent white water at a spot in Stowe, Vt., to rescue Casey Lasell, who had slipped off a ledge into the water.
Diving in with several others, Whitehurst managed to get Lasell out of the water. Unfortunately, he died from his injuries two days later.
“But because our recipient acted so quickly and effectively, Casey’s parents, siblings and close friends were able to say goodbye,” Segall said.


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