YOUNGSTOWN — Courtney Kelly of Lowellville, a fire instructor at Choffin Career and Technical Center, was honored recently with the Ohio Fire Service Instructor of the Year award at the 43rd annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame and Fire Awards ceremony.

The awards are sponsored by the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of State Fire Marshal and the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Division of EMS. Approximately 300 individuals, including state officials, first responders, family members of honorees and the general public, attended the ceremony, which takes place each year to recognize the valor, dedication and exemplary service of fire service members from across the state.

“The tremendous valor, dedication and bravery displayed by members of Ohio’s fire service and EMS professionals are unparalleled,” State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said during the ceremony. “Each day, they face a wide range of challenges with resilience and a commitment to saving lives, often under the most perilous conditions. This awards ceremony provides a unique opportunity to shine a light on these remarkable individuals who, through their actions, exemplify the highest ideals of public service.”

“Today, we are reminded of the profound impact our firefighters and EMS professionals have on the safety and well-being of our communities,” Executive Director of the Ohio Division of EMS Robert Wagoner said. “Their unwavering courage, dedication and commitment to serving others represent the pinnacle of public service. It is an honor to recognize these local heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty.”

In addition to teaching at Choffin, Kelly also is a Youngstown firefighter. As a result of Kelly’s commitment, the Choffin program’s facilities and resources have been expanded, which have led to increased enrollment, improved graduation rates, and successful employment outcomes for her students in the fire service, according to her biography in the awards program.

“The instructors who taught me were some of the most incredible firefighters that I know,” Kelly said in her video on the Hall of Fame website.

Her husband, Josh Kelly, is a fire investigator for Youngstown.

“My motivation is that the students I am teaching could one day be working with me at a fire scene so I want to make sure they are well trained and ready to go,” Kelly said in her video. “I love it. I have a passion for what I do. I think firefighting is the best job in the world and I want to make sure the people who want to do this job know how to do it correctly.”

Others honored at the recent ceremony in Columbus were:

• Drake and Andrew Carrell of Eaton (Preble County), who received the Citizens Award.

• Robert Bloom and Aaron Lopez of the Springfield Fire Department (Clark County), Valor Award.

• James Delman of Sunset Heights (Belmont County), Jack Guyton of Radnor (Delaware County), Robert Lloyd of Fairport Harbor (Lake County) and Glenn Michael Ullom of Centerburg (Knox County), Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award.

• Angela Potter of Copley (Summit County), Ohio Fire Prevention Educator of the Year Award.

• Shawn McKelvey of Fredericksburg (Wayne County), Ohio Fire Officer of the Year Award.

• Charles Dixon of Granville (Licking County), Ohio Fire Educator Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Pomeroy Fire Department (Meigs County), Ohio Fire Department of the Year Award.

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