First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Mark Mack

Updated: Jan. 12, 2021 at 12:23 PM EST

By Christina Williams

Mark Mack has served as an EMT for more than 40 years and is the 13abc first responder of the week.

Delta officer is both patrolman and educator

Updated: Jan. 6, 2021 at 12:28 PM EST

By Shaun Hegarty

Officer Matthew Kosier wants kids to see the police as people they can trust.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Scott Leamy

Updated: Dec. 30, 2020 at 4:59 PM EST

By Kristian Brown

Since 1998, he has served the community as a fire dispatcher.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Sgt. Joe Okos

Updated: Dec. 30, 2020 at 4:20 PM EST

By Alexis Means

Sgt. Okos has helped thousands of children get coats, toys, and a hot meal.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Sylvania School Resource Officers

Updated: Dec. 30, 2020 at 4:10 PM EST

By Kristian Brown

School leaders in Sylvania say officers Jeff Matuszewski, Bob Snow, and Dan Krajicek go above and beyond on the job.

First Responder of the Week

Lyons EMT uses her own struggles to give better support for patients, families

Updated: Dec. 22, 2020 at 3:22 PM EST

By Heather Pollauf

She's been working as an EMT for more than a decade, but life as a first responder has been hers since she was just weeks old.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Carl Arnold

Updated: Nov. 29, 2020 at 12:39 PM EST

By Tony Geftos

Firefighter at 3 departments is also a father of 3 girls

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Kacy Kunst wants to inspire future female firefighters

Updated: Nov. 23, 2020 at 5:13 PM EST

By Kristian Brown

Kunst is one of just 55 female firefighters in the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department where there are currently 521 uniformed firefighters.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Michael Willford

Updated: Nov. 10, 2020 at 5:43 PM EST

By Dan Smith

“I didn’t get into this profession for the commendations... even by just helping someone change a tire and getting a thank-you when you leave -- that’s really all the reward you look for in this job.” -Michael Willford

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Kara McCann

Updated: Oct. 13, 2020 at 4:25 PM EDT

By Kristian Brown

Kara McCann is blazing trails in Fulton County and she's only 34-years-old

Extended Forecast

First Responder of the Week

Thanking first responders in Waterville to honor September 11

Updated: Sep. 11, 2020 at 6:05 PM EDT

By Heather Pollauf

To honor those lives lost, including the first responders, Storypoint -- a senior living community in Waterville -- invited those closest to home. Waterville police and firefighters were invited to the flag ceremony.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week became a paramedic because of a childhood accident

Updated: Sep. 1, 2020 at 9:03 PM EDT

By Lissa Guyton

Mike Thomas is a paramedic for Williams County EMS.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Sgt. Amanda Bradley

Updated: Aug. 17, 2020 at 2:56 PM EDT

By Heather Pollauf

She's been a police officer for nearly 20 years, and has a long list of ways she's been serving the Whitehouse community in that time.

First Responder of the Week

Man of many hats: Mylander dedicates life to helping others

Updated: Aug. 5, 2020 at 1:47 PM EDT

By Lissa Guyton and Jeremy Schneider

The 13abc First Responder of the Week works at least 65 hours per week in a variety of roles.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Rick Helminski

Updated: Aug. 4, 2020 at 6:58 AM EDT

By Lissa Guyton

Helminski first became a volunteer with Springfield Twp. when he was 18-years old.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Scott Carman

Updated: Jun. 30, 2020 at 7:52 AM EDT

By Tony Geftos

He helped save the life of a co-worker at Rouen Collision

First Responder of the Week

Hometown Heroes: Children's Hunger Alliance

Updated: Jun. 22, 2020 at 11:41 AM EDT

The organization works with private donors and national chain restaurants like Panera Bread to bring in fresh, healthy food for kids in need.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Firefighter Bill Schultz

Updated: Mar. 11, 2020 at 11:30 AM EDT

By Kristian Brown

Saving lives is in Bill Schultz's blood.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Ridgeville Twp. firefighter Mike Weber

Updated: Feb. 24, 2020 at 10:28 AM EST

By Sashem Brey

Thanks to his quick thinking and decisive action, Mike Weber saved a life 14 years ago.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Oregon Fire Cpt. Kelley Moore

Updated: Feb. 18, 2020 at 12:10 PM EST

By Christina Williams

Captain Kelley Moore is the first female captain in the history of her fire station. She has served as a member of the Oregon Fire Department for nearly 20 years.

First Responder of the Week

First Responder of the Week: Lindsey deputy fire chief Jason Conklin

Updated: Feb. 10, 2020 at 9:52 PM EST

By Diane Larson

Jason Conklin, the deputy fire chief of the Lindsey Fire Department helped raise $1.6 million for the all-volunteer fire department.

First Responder of the Week

Steve Baum overcomes adversity to serve community as a volunteer firefighter, police captain

Updated: Feb. 4, 2020 at 12:16 PM EST

Baum has paralysis on his right side but he doesn't let it slow him down. He works out every day and pushes through pain so he can be there when his community needs him most. It's the reason he was nominated for 13abc's First Responder of the Week.

First Responder of the Week

Fallen Toledo area firefighter honored in national ceremony

Updated: Oct. 6, 2019 at 5:34 PM EDT

By Jillian Angeline

A Carroll Township firefighter killed in the line of duty is honored at a national service in Maryland. His family continues to celebrate his life.

First Responder of the Week

Police officer opens up about efforts to save toddler from drowning

Updated: Jul. 10, 2019 at 5:29 PM EDT

By Alexis Means

Officer Anthony Foley says the chemicals in the murky pool were burning his eyes.

First Responder of the Week

Maine, USA's best teachers learn from eachother in D.C.

Updated: Apr. 30, 2019 at 4:43 PM EDT

By Kyle Midura

Joe Hennessey hopes the bring what he learns back to the Pine Tree State

First Responder of the Week

Wreaths Across America helps heal old wounds

Updated: Dec. 14, 2018 at 4:39 PM EST

The organization continues to grow in its 27th year honoring the legacies of veterans.

First Responder of the Week

Cedar Point, Kings Island offer free admission to military members

Updated: May. 25, 2018 at 9:28 AM EDT

Kings Island in southwest Ohio says the offer runs from Friday until Monday.

First Responder of the Week

Fallen Holland EMS worker honored in D.C.

Updated: May. 21, 2017 at 11:43 PM EDT

By Ben Cathey

Devon Jameson biked from Kingston New York to Washington D.C. Over 500 miles. She's carrying the tags for Ohio native Sandra Cline. This is the first time she's meeting her family.

First Responder of the Week

Toledo Tuskegee Airman remembered by family

Updated: Feb. 13, 2017 at 6:17 PM EST

By Ben Cathey

Nearly 20,000 started that journey, and estimates say less than 200 are still alive today.

First Responder of the Week

Funeral for Tuskegee Airman Tuesday in Toledo

Updated: Feb. 13, 2017 at 4:36 PM EST

By Ben Cathey

Irving "Spud" Green, 92, was one of less than 200 remaining "Redtails." The Toledo native will be interred Tuesday in the Old West End.

First Responder of the Week

Local soldier surprised by former late night talk show host

Updated: Nov. 1, 2016 at 5:29 PM EDT

By Alexis Means

A local soldier receives a brand new car from jay Leno.