Area emergency service professionals were honoured with awards on Wednesday to recognize their dedication and service to the community.
The Heroes of Service Awards – given annually by Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District – was held at Grand Gardens North.
It brought together area police services, fire departments, correctional services, paramedic services, and other first responders.
Award recipients for each category are nominated from within their own organization.
The Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services nominated a fire crew including Capt. Brian Turpin and firefighters Derrek Coccimiglio, Mark McLean and Noah Grigg, as well as acting platoon chief Richard Bishop.
They were nominated for their actions during a March 14, 2025 fire at an apartment building at 555 Albert St. W.
Deputy Chief Mark Morgenstern said the crew were the first on scene of a fire at the three-storey building. When they arrived, heavy black smoke was billowing from a third-floor balcony.
"Despite rapidly deteriorating conditions, these members acted decisively, calmly and with a clear focus on life safety," Morgenstern said.
Under Bishop's command, the four-firefighter crew advanced to the third floor after being informed a child was trapped inside one of the units.
"Captain Turpin found a small child on a mattress in the living room, partially under a chair, and immediately removed the child to the doorway. Firefighter Grigg took custody and carried the child from the apartment to waiting medical care," said Morgenstern.
"We had police services and EMS services with us on that day and, as everybody knows in this room, our community emergency services rely on each other and work well together.
"That's a critical element I think needs to be acknowledged on a regular basis — how well our emergency services work together and how important we are to each other."
"Their coordinated teamwork, courage and commitment of these people and all of the other people on the scene that day directly contributed to the rescue of this child and the protection of other occupants in the building," said Morgenstern.
The Sault Ste. Marie Paramedic Services elected paramedic Mitch Boyle for this year's award. Among his achievements, Boyle organized a final Soo Greyhounds game experience for a patient, creating a lasting memory for that patient and his family at the end of life.
He also is instrumental in the service's annual toy drive and led an effort to coordinate an adapted bike for a young girl living with cystic fibrosis.
When presenting the award, paramedic Chief Katie Kirkham said Boyle has consistently demonstrated an incredible ability to connect with people in meaningful ways.
"As Mitch's chief, I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand the kind of person he is — not just as a paramedic, but as a human being.
"He consistently leads with kindness, humility and a genuine desire to make life better for good for others. Those are the qualities that can't be taught and they leave a lasting impression on the people fortunate to work alongside them," she said.
Other award recipients included:
- Sault Ste. Marie Police Service: Det. Sgt. Mark Kates
- Ontario Provincial Police: Sgt. Shane Bukowski
- Anishinabek Police Service: Cst. Barry Desmoulin
- Donald Doucet Youth Centre: Sam Reidt
- Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre: Rosa Coccimiglio
- Town of Spanish Fire Department: Lisa Hobbs and Fire Chief Blair Ramsay
The annual event serves to recognize the efforts of frontline workers and leadership in the emergency services, while doubling as a fundraiser for Crime Stoppers.