Love having lunch with our Lake County firefighters!

Being an assignment editor allows you to have phone contact and phone relationships with hundreds if not thousands of people.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "Ah, it's finally nice to actually put a face to your name!"

Today's event is one I attend (usually Lisa, Amy, and I) almost every year! What a treat to put faces to the names of the brave firefighters who encompass all of Lake County, Ohio.

They invite the media to their annual Media Day and Awards Presentation Luncheon.

One year there were folks in attendance from all the tv stations, newspapers, and many more.

Then it seemed as if the only station to attend was wkyc --which is ok by us!

The Lake County Fire Chief's of Ohio strive to continue the great relations they have between themselves and their staff and the local media, be it tv or print. They (as do we) love putting names to faces. This event is always a good place to hand out business cards with yours on top so when the next big Mentor Marsh fire ignites, you are the first person they call!

This year I sat at a very 'fun' table --I had the Fairport Harbor Chief, a Captain from Perry and the big wig Hazmat specialist from Lubrizol....surrounded by amazing firemen who risk their lives day in and day out.

But more importantly, at least in my eyes, is the Good Samaritan Hero Awards portion of this event.

Every year, the Lake County Fire Chiefs honor a few folks for rising to the occasion and making a difference in the community.

This year's recipients were Andrew Kalar and Kevin McCollum, Brian Dorsey, and Raymond Phelps.

Andrew and Kevin helped rescue 2 kids who were playing around in Lake Erie off of Willoughby back in July, 2009....they drifted too far from shore and had one heck of a time getting back on their own. They asked a News Herald Photographer to call 911 while they began swimming to the kids. They made it to them within about 20 minutes and started bringing them back when Willoughby Firefighters arrived and took over the rescue. Willoughby Fire Chief Alan C. Zwegat said, "Being there and witnessing the fatigue and cramping both boys were exhibiting after being in the water for 1.5 to 2.0 hours, I know that if it were not for the efforts of Kevin McCollum and Andrew Kalar, I know that the outcome would have been more tragic."

Next up for the hero award: Mr. Brian Dorsey. Mr. Dorsey heard a smoke detector in his apartment complex on Lakeshore Blvd in Willoughby March, 2010 and immediately started getting residents out of the building. He went to the apartment where the fire apparently began and saw the couch on fire. Dorsey broke open the door and started discharging his fire extinguisher which bought the fire department valuable time. Unfortunately, there was still someone trapped inside. The 69-year-old resident was injured quite badly, but because of Mr. Dorsey, he survived and is still recovering today.

The final hero award went to Raymond Phelps, who spotted a house fire in his neighborhood in Perry April, 2009, took his fire extinguisher and put out the fire and got everyone, including 3 dogs, out of the home. The teens had been cooking and the oil ignited. Mr. Phelps did not hesitate to help his neighbors, even to the point of sustaining smoke inhalation but said he was ok. He stopped the fire from spreading thereby saving his neighbor's home, and more importantly, helped the teens as well as providing support and a safe place for them after the fire.

This years shindig took place at The Firehouse Grill and Pub Restaurant on Rte 6....a great little place with delish food. But the irony of it all is that this restaurant used to be an old firehouse converted. The firemen who have worked in this area forever remember every nook and cranny of this firehouse and began telling us the history....

Yet another successful event to connect with contacts, garner a few more story ideas, enjoy delicious fare, and honor those in the community who went above and beyond!

Three of many great stories which happen day after day, year after year. The Lake County Fire Chiefs acknowledge that without the help of their citizens, there could be more tragedies each year. I take my hat off to you all as well!