Firefighter, Paramedic of the Year to be Honored at Clearwater Ceremony

The firefighter and paramedic of the year will be honored as well as a citizen and other fire personnel for their life-saving actions at the Clearwater Fire and Rescue annual Employee Recognition Ceremony Friday. 

The ceremony is open to the public. Here is a run down of the honorees:

Lt. William Fry

"Fry was instrumental in organizing and performing the department-wide Bayflite classes training personnel about the policies and procedures in assisting with air transport. Fry also provided the idea, construction and training of the Medical Intervention Team bag which is designed to begin the initial treatment, stabilization and rapid removal of injured firefighters. Fry joined the department in 1999," according to a release.

Fire Medic Robert Winer

Winer is honored for his skills helping during several emergency incidents. Winer is a registered nurse and serves as a role model for other Fire Medics who work and train with him. He joined the department in 2007.

Trench Rescue

Fire personnel responded to help a 57-year-old construction worker trapped in a trench rescue at a construction site near Barry Road and Highland Avenue in August. Despite many barriers, dangerous conditions after nearly three hours of continuous rescue operations in the summer heat, crews freed the man.

Car Crash Extrication

Fire personnel responded to a crash where two people were trapped inside while gas leaked from the car. Fire crews quickly extricated the patients, despite the hazard. Their actions saved a patient who would not have survived another minute trapped inside the vehicle.

Citizen Recognition

Stanley Orquia performed the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge a piece of food and save a 70-year-old woman's life at a family entertainment establishment.

If you go:

What: Clearwater Fire and Rescue annual Employee Recognition Ceremony

When: 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18

Where: Clearwater Fire and Rescue Training Facility, 1716 N Belcher Road.