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Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department members were honored Feb. 5 for years of service and their responses to two critical emergencies in late 2024.
Management Analyst II Gary Dize received recognition for 40 years of service. Emergency Management Specialist III Wayne Trice Burgess Jr. marked 35 years, while Captain Christopher Brown and Master Technician Kyle Anderson were each honored for 30 years.
Several responders received a unit citation for providing advanced lifesaving care to an injured patient in October 2024. The group included Dr. Dan Avstreih; Captain Peter Besong and Firefighter Ben Gaynor of Medic 417; and Lieutenant Matthew Gambino, HazMat Technician Kyung Ha, Technician Jeremy Godines and Firefighter/Paramedic Mehdi Jamal of Engine 440.
A second unit citation recognized crews who treated a suicidal patient in November 2024. Those honored were Captain Kenneth Coffelt as EMS401; Captain Charles Cox, EMS Technician David Ford and Technician Daniel Park of Tower Ladder 401; Lieutenant Lawrence McGunnigle, Firefighter Quincy Branch, Firefighter Austin Gum, Firefighter James Pack Jr. and Firefighter Cody Shaffer of Engine 401; and EMS Technician Alexander Cope and Firefighter Luke Langenbach of Medic 401.
Master Fire Medic Garald Calaway and Fire Medic William Stuller of the City of Fairfax Fire Department were also recognized for their roles in that response.