New Philadelphia firefighters honored for life-saving response
NEW PHILADELPHIA – The New Philadelphia Fire Department earned Ohio’s 2026 EMS Star of Life Award for saving a crash victim’s life in August of last year.
New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day presented the Ohio Department of Public Safety commendations to eight firefighters, along with a Cleveland Clinic Hospital Run of the Year award.
Day explained the harrowing situation that led to the dramatic rescue of 24-year-old service technician Travis Brown, who was hit by a truck when changing a tire along U.S. 250 in New Philadelphia. Paramedics found Brown bleeding from an open head wound and suffering from a compound facture in his right leg.
“Their calm professionalism, clear communication and decisive actions stabilized Mr. Brown and maximized his chance for a positive outcome,” Day read from the commendations.
Fire Chief Jim Parrish credited his crew and the support of the administration, along with modern training and equipment. He said the positive outcome, with Brown present at Monday’s City Council meeting, would not have been likely 10 to 20 years ago.
“The best part about this evening is that Mr. Brown is sitting over here in the corner, and this is the first time we’ve had a chance to meet him,” Parrish said. “A situation, nothing less than miraculous – to have an open head injury like that and those traumatic injuries and be able to survive that. [It’s] strictly an example of teamwork.”
The honored firefighters include Chief Parrish, Assistant Fire Chief Matt Tharp, Captain Wes Tucke, Lieutenant Ryan Murphy, and Firefighter/Paramedics Kyle Rowland, Zachary Adams, Timothy Hawkins and Lucas Hagan.