The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
HEROISM HONORED
Fairport Harbor firefighter recognized for water rescue
“Thank you guys for recognizing everyone before me and after me.”
State Sen. John Eklund turned to face the man of the hour when he said, “Part of the reason why we’re so grateful for the things that you and your colleagues do (as in, saving a life), is because we never have a chance to do them.”
The Lake County Blue Coats made that sentiment a reality when they awarded a local firefighter for his act of heroism.
Captain Jeff Braemer, a Fairport Harbor firefighter, was given the Jorge Medina Distinguished Service Award at the Blue Coats’ 53rd annual award banquet on Feb. 20, for his actions in saving the life of a woman and her dog in Painesville.
“This is a very humbling experience,” Braemer said, after
— Fairport Harbor Fire Captain Jeff Braemer, the recipient of the Jorge Medina Distinguished Service Award
receiving the award. “The people (past award winners) that were brought up before, most of them — when I started this business 20 some years ago — were people that I looked up to.”
To close, Braemer thanked his family members and the Blue Coats.
“Thank you guys for recognizing everyone before me and after me,” he said.
Fairport Harbor Fire Chief Bob Lloyd described Braemer’s actions for which he was awarded.
In a nomination letter, Lloyd stated that in May 2018, Captain Braemer was conducting driver’s training in an engine and responded to a water rescue call along with Painesville City firefighters. There was a female victim in the water with her dog and a male attempting to rescue them.
Braemer went into the water without water protection or a flotation device, Lloyd stated.The captain was able to relieve the bystander and bring the woman and her dog to shore.
“The victim was about 40-50 feet from shore in 54-degree water that was too deep to stand in,” Lloyd stated.
“Without Captain Braemer’s intervention, this could have had a tragic outcome.”
Following chants of “speech” from the front row, Braemer went to the podium and expressed gratitude.
“One thing that I learned early in my career is that ‘we’re not here for me, we’re here for we and we are here for them’,” Braemer said. “So, thank you.”
Chief Lloyd also noted that Braemer is a 20-year veteran of the Fairport Harbor Fire Department, has served as Union president, is a member of the East Lake County Fire Investigation unit, has served as acting fire chief for eight months and was also awarded the Ohio Fire Service Valor award for the rescue.