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March 15, 2007
OHIOANS RECOGNIZED FOR WATER SAFETY AND RESCUE EFFORTS
13 awards go to individuals and organizations
COLUMBUS, OH - The National Water Safety Congress (NWSC) recently recognized Ohioans' commitments to boating safety with a total of 13 awards for rescue work and education, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Several awards saluted courage and teamwork during last summer's severe flooding in Lake County. Individuals and organizations assisted in rescue efforts of more than 300 people and 100 vessels. Volunteers and staff members of Spirit of America and Lake Metroparks received commendations for their efforts. State watercraft officers Jason Latchic, Rich McCullough, Jim O'Brien, Joshua Orwick, Scott Stauffer and Ashtabula-area supervisor Matt Zlocki received Awards of Merit for their search and rescue work during the emergency.
In addition to citations for the Lake County work, other Awards of Merit went to:
- John Cavalier and Debbie Putnam of the Bay Village School District in Cuyahoga County for their support of the district's Spirit of America boating safety program.
- Ray Budoi of Westlake in Cuyahoga County for his six years as a volunteer instructor with the Spirit of America program.
- Kathy Wilson of the Mosquito Lake Marina in Trumbull County for her rescue last summer of an individual who had fallen overboard.
Emerald Necklace Marina operators Ron and Ann Marie Cipriani from Cleveland also received a commendation for their long-time support of the Spirit of America program.
Ohio is also home to Doug Golding, the recipient of this year's NWSC Northern Region and National Boating Educator of the Year awards. Golding, an ODNR Division of Watercraft education officer, was recognized for his creativity and use of displays and publications to make sure boaters always have the most accurate and updated information. He developed the division's "Splash Test Dummies" safety education spokespersons and the award-winning safety video, "Test Files."
The ODNR Division of Watercraft also received first and third-place awards for developing two radio public safety messages, encouraging boaters to wear life jackets. The messages will be broadcast during the upcoming boating season.
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