Local Heroes to be Honored at Hall of Fame & Fire Awards Ceremony on April 24
The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal and Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS will honor Courtney Kelly (Vienna), Angela Potter (Copley), Shawn Mckelvey (Fredericksburg) and Robert Lloyd (Fairport Harbor ) at the 43rd annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame & Fire Awards on Wednesday, April 24. The ceremony will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. inside Gallery I at COSI, located at 333 W. Broad St. in Columbus.
This ceremony takes place each year to recognize the valor, dedication and exemplary service of fire service members from across the state.
Fire Officer of the Year award recipient Shawn Mckelvey will be recognized for his exceptional leadership and dedication at the South Central Fire District, where he serves as assistant chief and the sole full-time staff member. Considered by his colleagues to be a servant leader, Mckelvey goes above and beyond to support his volunteer team by handling extensive post-service cleanup and maintenance tasks, ensuring volunteers can return promptly to their primary employment. Mckelvey serves as a mentor within the department, creating tailored training schedules and maintaining detailed records that bolster overall departmental proficiency. He also has lead fundraising efforts, outreach initiatives to cultivate relationships with local Amish communities, and efforts to improve emergency communication systems.
In addition to serving on the Youngstown Fire Department, Fire Instructor of the Year award recipient Courtney Kelly also works off-duty hours serving students in Youngstown City School as an instructor at Choffin Career and Technical Center (CCTC). Despite the demanding schedule typical for firefighters, Kelly dedicates an additional 12 hours each week to teaching fire academy classes at CCTC. As a result of Kelly’s commitment, the 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. Her leadership and influence extend beyond the classroom, impacting not only her students but also the broader community.
Fire Prevention Educator of the Year award recipient Angela Potter was nominated for her significant impact as a fire safety educator. Potter is credited with co-initiating the Northeast Ohio Safety Educators Network, a successful platform for educators to share resources and learn from experts in fire safety, healthcare and public safety. Potter actively assists fire personnel across Northeast Ohio, contributing to youth fire setter interventions, community events and departmental training.
Fire Service Distinguished Service award recipient Robert Lloyd once experienced a critical incident with 25 simultaneous structure fires as a result of a gas line explosion. As the incident commander, Lloyd successfully orchestrated the evacuation of 3,100 residents in Fairport Harbor to ensure everyone’s safety without any injuries or fatalities. This event is one of many in Lloyd’s distinguished nearly four-decade-long career in fire service. Having started his career as a part-time firefighter, Lloyd has served as the fire chief of Fairport Harbor since 2018. His career accomplishments include being one of Painesville Township Fire Department’s first paramedics, initiating the use of advanced life support equipment in ambulances, creating a fire prevention bureau, and leading fire safety education. Lloyd also led the development of Fairport Harbor’s Handle with Care program to assist children impacted by fire incidents. Recognized as a mentor and advisor, especially in the area of mental health, Lloyd’s contributions to firefighting, education and community welfare have left a lasting impact.
During this year’s ceremony, Kelly, Potter, Mckelvey and Lloyd will be among 11 individuals from across Ohio to be honored in the following categories:
2024 Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame & Fire Awards
Citizens Award
Drake & Andrew Carrell, Eaton, Preble County
Fire Service Valor Award
Robert Bloom, Aaron Lopez, Springfield Fire Department, Springfield, Clark County
Ohio Fire Service Distinguished Service Award
James Delman, Bridgeport, Belmont County
Jack Guyton, Radnor, Delaware County
Robert Lloyd, Fairport Harbor, Lake County
Glenn Michael Ullom, Centerburg, Knox County
Ohio Fire Service Instructor of the Year
Courtney Kelly, Lowellville, Mahoning County
Ohio Fire Prevention Educator of the Year
Angela Potter, Copley, Summit County
Ohio Fire Officer of the Year
Shawn Mckelvey, Fredericksburg, Wayne County
Ohio Fire Educator Lifetime Achievement
Charles Dixon, Granville, Licking County
Ohio Fire Department of the Year
Pomeroy Fire Department, Pomeroy, Meigs County
There are approximately 50,000 dedicated men and women who serve in Ohio’s fire service. The awards ceremony recognized the bravery, commitment and sacrifice those men and women make on behalf of their communities.