Jackson Professional Firefighters

Firefighter Ryan Casper was honored as the Jackson Township 2008 C-Shift Firefighter of the Year.  Firefighter Casper was nominated by several other C-Shift Jackson Township firefighter for his actions in February 2008 at the scene of an apartment fire on Wales Avenue.  Firefighter Casper spotted a person trapped on a second story balcony.  The fire was in this person’s apartment and they could not get to the front door.  Firefighter Casper placed a ground ladder and rescued the person seconds before the sliding glass door shattered and flames consumed where the man had been standing.  The actions of Firefighter Ryan Casper saved the life of this individual.  Firefighter Casper was recognized at the C-Shift Christmas Party.

As Jerry Valentine, of the Jackson Township Highway Department made his rounds salting the roads on November 18, 2008 he saw smoke coming from the residence of Christine Habony. Valentine quickly called the Jackson Township Fire Department when nobody answered as he banged on the door.

Engine Two arrived on scene. Firefighter Harrison and Captain Leopold advanced a line inside, and discovered Christine Habony unconscious.  Harrison and Leopold removed Christine from the house and firefighters outside administered CPR.  Christine was taken to Affinity Medical Center and later flown to Akron General.  

Also saved in this fire was Christine’s rottweiler.  The Stark County Humane Society was holding the rottweiler until family could pick up the dog.
“I think in the matter of just minutes it made a difference and hopefully the long term effect will be positive. The key thing was the snow plow operator,” said Chief Heck.

The Fire Chief called Valentine a hero.

“No I don’t think I’m a hero. Any good natured person that would’ve been in the area would’ve done the same thing”, Jerry said.

“Gary and I were a small part of an operation that went really well this morning,” Leopold said Tuesday. 

Firefighters Frank Schneider and Dave Seibert and paramedic Thom Ross also were credited. Outside, Schneider and Seibert helped while Ross performed CPR, Leopold said.

Every year, ACBC holds “Burn Camp,” an annual summer camp for young burn survivors to enjoy fun activities while the staff looks after their individual safety and medical needs. Camp activities include horseback riding and Fire Truck Day, when fire departments from the area bring their trucks to camp. The Jackson Township Fire Department and Jackson Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 2280 are regular participants in Fire truck Day. This year, brothers Jim Cunningham, Jeff McDonough, and Ryan Casper attended representing the Department and Union.

Fire Truck Day is a day when area departments bring fire trucks to camp to show the children. They set up a line for the children to walk and spray water on the children and other firefighters. It is fun for everybody. Later in the day, the children get to play in foam from the Akron Fire Department’s foam unit.

Fire truck day is always the highlight of Burn Camp, thanks to the departments that participate. The Jackson Professional Firefighters look forward to Fire Truck Day every year. ACBC is one of the charities that the Jackson Professional Firefighters contribute to.

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