Body camera images from Deputy Joe Hamilton Three Youngstown firefighters were captured on body camera in the basement of the Realty Tower in downtown Youngstown about eight minutes after an explosion in the basement, searching for and rescuing individuals working in the bank on the first floor who fell into the basement.

YOUNGSTOWN — Three Youngstown firefighters who rescued victims from the May 28 Realty Tower explosion will be honored by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office and Ohio Department of Public Safety at the 44th annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame & Fire Awards ceremony May 14.

Youngstown firefighters Scott Thomas, Tommy Gibbs and Joseph Koziel were selected to receive the Fire Service Valor Award for their actions just after a devastating explosion at the Realty Tower.

“Amid significant destruction, the three individuals risked their lives to initiate daring rescue efforts and save the lives of others,” according to a State Fire Marshal’s office news release. “Their efforts reflect the core values of the fire service: courage, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to protect and serve.”

Also to be honored is Travis Birch of the Brookfield and Fowler fire departments for rescuing a woman from her burning Vienna Township home in July 2024. Birch will receive the Fire Service Valor Award.

Birch was at home when he overheard an emergency call about a house fire two miles away, according to the release.

“Despite having no protective equipment, he took immediate action, breaking through a glass door of the burning home and pulling the injured woman to safety where she could be treated,” the release states.

The awards ceremony will be 2 p.m. in Gallery I at COSI, 333 W. Broad St. in downtown Columbus. Altogether, 10 individuals will be honored at the event. There are about 50,000 men and women who make up Ohio’s fire service. The ceremony “recognizes the bravery, commitment and sacrifice they make daily on behalf of communities throughout the state,” the release states.

Others being honored are citizens Bill Hershberger of Marshallville and Karl Mounts of Akron for their bravery and selflessness when they freed the driver of a dump truck that had overturned and caught fire on I-77 in Bath Township in July 2024, the release states.

“Despite having no protective equipment, they dug through gravel and fought against a heavy tarp covering the truck’s load to reach the injured driver and pull him to safety before emergency personnel arrived,” the release states. They will receive the Ohio Fire Service Citizen’s Award.

Medina fire Chief Larry Walters will be recognized with the Fire Service Valor Award for rescuing a woman who was trapped inside the basement of her burning home in October 2024. Walters climbed through a window into the smoke-filled basement to rescue the woman by lifting her through the window opening to safety so first responders could provide treatment. Walters, who did not have protective equipment, sustained minor injuries, the news release states.

Brian Peterman of Wooster will receive the Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award. The award will recognize his 40-plus-year career and the “profound influence he has had on Ohio’s fire service through his leadership, mentorship and commitment to fire safety,” the release states.

This year’s recipient of the Fire Instructor of the Year Award is Douglas Robinson with the University Heights Fire Department. Since becoming the department’s training officer in 2018, Robinson has “set the standard for excellence in firefighter education and operational readiness,” the release states.

Ohio Fire Prevention Educator of the Year recipient Melissa Gammell will be recognized for her work and dedication to fire safety education. Throughout her six years with the Stow Fire Department, Gammell’s “innovative fire safety programs have helped save lives, inspire action, and foster a culture of safety and prevention for individuals of all ages,” the release states.