Fire Department Heroes
Fire Chief Steven Holtzman started his career with The City of Beachwood in October of 1992 and came to the City with a Bachelor of Science and Technology from Bowling Green State University. He was appointed to the Heights Area Special Rescue team in 1997. He obtained certifications to perform High angle rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, ice rescue, swift water and structural collapse rescue and served the team for over 21 years.
In 1999 Steve was appointed as one of the original members of the Fire Departments Honor guard and served in that capacity for 20 years.
He was promoted to the position of Lieutenant in November of 2000 and Promoted to Captain in August of 2002. He served several years as the Department’s EMS coordinator and infection control officer, during which time he obtained his state certification as a fire instructor. He was then appointed as the Fire Departments lead training instructor and developed the fire departments training program. Steve was appointed to the position as Fire Chief in June of 2019.
During the pandemic Chief Holtzman served as the Cities Chief Medical officer and infection control officer and provided guidance along with the department’s medical control on Cities policies on COVID 19. A plan was formulated with several of the Cities director’s and continuously updated following the changes in CDC guidelines. Working directly with the department’s EMS coordinator we obtained supplies of PPE that was able to safely carry all departments through the pandemic.
In 1999 Steve was appointed as one of the original members of the Fire Departments Honor guard and served in that capacity for 20 years.
He was promoted to the position of Lieutenant in November of 2000 and Promoted to Captain in August of 2002. He served several years as the Department’s EMS coordinator and infection control officer, during which time he obtained his state certification as a fire instructor. He was then appointed as the Fire Departments lead training instructor and developed the fire departments training program. Steve was appointed to the position as Fire Chief in June of 2019.
During the pandemic Chief Holtzman served as the Cities Chief Medical officer and infection control officer and provided guidance along with the department’s medical control on Cities policies on COVID 19. A plan was formulated with several of the Cities director’s and continuously updated following the changes in CDC guidelines. Working directly with the department’s EMS coordinator we obtained supplies of PPE that was able to safely carry all departments through the pandemic.
Therese Ferritto joined the Fire Department in 2008 and was hired as the Secretary for Fire Prevention. She became an integral member within the department making sure fire prevention members schedules were coordinated and all fire prevention documents were maintained. Therese is also the fire departments ambassador with the public. She does a great job fielding calls and making people feel welcome by greeting people at the front desk of the fire department.
In 2018 Therese took on the responsibilities of the Departments administrative assistant. In 2019 she assisted with the transition to a new Fire Department Administration and with her assistance the transition went very smoothly. Therese interacts with all aspects of our Fire Department. All Department purchases are coordinated by Therese and she makes sure we have what we need to do our jobs and to operate in our day to day operations.
In 2020 the world was hit by the global pandemic and while most businesses worked from home, the members of the Fire Department came to work every day and Therese didn’t miss a beat. She worked closely with our EMS Coordinator to ensure the procurement of the PPE supplies we needed to ensure our members safety throughout the pandemic. In early 2021 the Fire Department hosted drive thru vaccination clinics and Therese fielded hundreds of calls to ensure those needed vaccinated had the proper information to get registered for the clinics. Therese also worked within the vaccination clinic to assist within the operation. Therese has been the glue that helps our operation stick together and ensures that things run smoothly. She is respected by all members of our Fire Department and was selected by all the Officers to receive the selection for Hometown heroes.
In 2018 Therese took on the responsibilities of the Departments administrative assistant. In 2019 she assisted with the transition to a new Fire Department Administration and with her assistance the transition went very smoothly. Therese interacts with all aspects of our Fire Department. All Department purchases are coordinated by Therese and she makes sure we have what we need to do our jobs and to operate in our day to day operations.
In 2020 the world was hit by the global pandemic and while most businesses worked from home, the members of the Fire Department came to work every day and Therese didn’t miss a beat. She worked closely with our EMS Coordinator to ensure the procurement of the PPE supplies we needed to ensure our members safety throughout the pandemic. In early 2021 the Fire Department hosted drive thru vaccination clinics and Therese fielded hundreds of calls to ensure those needed vaccinated had the proper information to get registered for the clinics. Therese also worked within the vaccination clinic to assist within the operation. Therese has been the glue that helps our operation stick together and ensures that things run smoothly. She is respected by all members of our Fire Department and was selected by all the Officers to receive the selection for Hometown heroes.
Greg Liggett is a veteran Firefighter with exemplary performance and is respected by both veteran members and younger members of our department. He is an exceptional firefighter and paramedic. He is always engaged in department activities and lends his expertise to any project we direct his way.
Greg was hired by the City of Beachwood as a firefighter paramedic on 7/17/2000. He was appointed to the Heights Area Special Rescue Team in 2003 and has served on that team for 18 years. The team specializes in the following rescue disciplines, High angle rope, Trench, Confined space, structural collapse, swift water, water and ice.
In 2012 Greg was assigned as a member of the station design committee. This team traveled the country to compile the be best ideas to incorporate into a fire station to lead us into the future. Greg worked from the design phase through the build process and final completion.
In 2014 Greg was appointed as a member of the Fire Department’s Honor guard. The Honor Guard members train on precision and work to promote The Beachwood Fire Department in a professional manner. The Honor Guard also represents the Fire Department during the unfortunate time when there is the death of a department member or past member.
In 2019 Greg was appointed to the preplan committee that has worked to revamp and improve the fire preplans for all commercial buildings in the City of Beachwood. Our Firefighters count on this information during fires and other emergencies, to understand the complexities of each building and the systems that are operating within those buildings and how what affect they have on our ability to mitigate those emergencies.
Police Department Heroes
Beachwood Police Department Detective Luke Combs is an active member of this department and always looking for ways to improve relationships within the community and with other departments. He has been a police officer for 24 years. He currently serves on the DEA Task Force, which regularly assists participating departments throughout the region. Luke is certified by the state of Ohio for electronic surveillance, cell phone analysis, street crime supervision, crisis intervention, narcotics and criminal interdiction, and asset forfeiture reference to narcotics cases. In 2021, Detective Combs along with the DEA Task Force participated in the seizure of $6,836,660 in narcotics-related assets, 215 narcotics and firearm-related arrests, 97 kilograms of cocaine seized, 9 kilograms of heroin seized, 20 kilograms of fentanyl seized, 382 kilograms of marijuana seized, and 329 kilograms of methamphetamine seized.
|
|
Officer Stacee L. Wright joined the Beachwood Police Department in February 2021. Before joining the department, she worked as a patrol officer for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, where she joined the Detective Bureau. She has received several awards for her high level of personal effort and remarkable performance throughout her career, including the Chief's Letter of Recognition, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Special Commendation Award. Officer Wright is presently assigned to the uniform patrol division, where she has shown to be an invaluable member of the force. Officer Wright is often called upon to help the detective bureau with forensic interviews of victims of sexual assaults and other violent crimes due to her experience and competence in this area.
|
Brian Moore has been a dispatcher for the Beachwood Police Department since December of 1990. Brian worked as a volunteer firefighter for Chagrin Falls Fire and Auburn Township Fire Departments and as a dispatcher for Chester Township Police Department before joining our department as a dispatcher. Brian's dedication to providing excellent customer service has been evident throughout his career. He frequently goes above and beyond to help his peers and community members, and he never hesitates to ask what he can do to help. Brian is one of the department's longest-serving dispatchers and continues to provide excellent service to the Beachwood and Pepper Pike communities.
Beachwood Schools-Heroes
Lori Joyner had been the first person greeting visitors in the Principal’s office at Beachwood High School for 32 years. Joyner helped to keep the high school running through the leadership of eight principals and several renovations. Her relationships with her staff was more like that of a family, and she referred to many of her teachers as her “work children”. They supported, confided and trusted each other and laid the foundation for a healthy work environment. Joyner was the calm and dependable voice that parents spoke with when first calling the high school. Developing a rapport and establishing a connection were top priority for the main office secretary. Joyner also supported students in a variety of ways from selling pumpkins at Pumpkin Patch back in 2015, to her most recent involvement as the Advisor of the Climate Action Team for 3 years, raising awareness about Climate Action, Climate Justice and Environmental Awareness. During those years, the team made their mark collecting blue jeans to be recycled for cotton insulation to underserved communities, raising money through a color run in partnership with the PTO, hosting an educational forum and lastly, the Climate Action Team partnered with the school’s MAC Scholars, GSA Club, and CEC Club to build a rainbow made from recycled plastic bottle caps and lids. The 8 x 10 foot rainbow is hanging in the main hall of the high school with the following quote:
“In a perfect world human beings would co-exist harmoniously. Like a rainbow, a multitude of colors each layer vibrant and clear by itself but in unison... boundless, breathtaking, celestial”- - - Mariah Carey.
Lori is married to her husband, Jim and has 3 step children. She and Jim reside in University Heights.
“In a perfect world human beings would co-exist harmoniously. Like a rainbow, a multitude of colors each layer vibrant and clear by itself but in unison... boundless, breathtaking, celestial”- - - Mariah Carey.
Lori is married to her husband, Jim and has 3 step children. She and Jim reside in University Heights.
Kelly Debeljak, RN, MSN has been a school nurse at Beachwood City Schools for the past 22 years where she oversees the health and safety of students and staff. Prior to working at Beachwood, Kelly worked at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio as a Clinical Nurse, Nurse Practitioner and as the Nurse Coordinator of the Pediatric Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Center.
While it is easy to note the ways that Kelly has gone above and beyond during the worldwide pandemic, it is extraordinary to describe how well Kelly knows her students, comforts staff as well as being a valuable resource to parents and the community. Kelly was the 2021-22 recipient of the Beachwood City Schools Crystal Apple Award which acknowledges staff members who have gone above and beyond their daily job responsibilities. Students often tell “Nurse Kelly” she is so much more than a nurse – to which Kelly responds, “It’s my job to take care of the WHOLE you and not just your bumps and bruises”. Kelly’s smile and caring personality is a comfort to everyone she meets.
Kelly’s proudest accomplishment in life is her family. She has been married to husband Greg Debeljak for 33 years and they have 2 amazing daughters; Ashley Debeljak Erb and Allison Debeljak Espinosa who both graduated from Beachwood City Schools. Kelly also has a therapy dog, Blair, and loves working out at the gym and spending time with family and friends.
While it is easy to note the ways that Kelly has gone above and beyond during the worldwide pandemic, it is extraordinary to describe how well Kelly knows her students, comforts staff as well as being a valuable resource to parents and the community. Kelly was the 2021-22 recipient of the Beachwood City Schools Crystal Apple Award which acknowledges staff members who have gone above and beyond their daily job responsibilities. Students often tell “Nurse Kelly” she is so much more than a nurse – to which Kelly responds, “It’s my job to take care of the WHOLE you and not just your bumps and bruises”. Kelly’s smile and caring personality is a comfort to everyone she meets.
Kelly’s proudest accomplishment in life is her family. She has been married to husband Greg Debeljak for 33 years and they have 2 amazing daughters; Ashley Debeljak Erb and Allison Debeljak Espinosa who both graduated from Beachwood City Schools. Kelly also has a therapy dog, Blair, and loves working out at the gym and spending time with family and friends.
Medical Heroes
N. Scott Howard, MD MBA FACS, is a relatively new member of the Beachwood community arriving here in 2019 but he exclaims, “I got here as soon as I could!”
He is the proud father of twins, Ryan and Sydney, who are in the third grade at Hilltop Elementary School. He is married to Jill Howard whom he stole away from California to join him on a number of Army PCS moves before arriving in Cleveland to settle down.
Scott moved frequently as a child with his family, living in New York, Connecticut and California before he was ten years old. It was probably not a surprise to his family that he eventually joined the Army to “see the world.” He enrolled at the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. After 5 years of service, he found a new calling - to serve the military as a physician. Scott graduated from The University of Florida College Of Medicine and completed his internship in General Surgery and residency in Otolaryngology (Ear-Nose-Throat) at the famed Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While at Walter Reed, he witnessed the greatest number of casualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF). While caring for soldiers returning from war with massive head and neck trauma, Dr. Howard realized that the Army did not have a specialist trained in voice and airway reconstruction. At the conclusion of his residency, Scott completed his studies at UCLA with a subspecialty in Laryngology, Voice Disorders, and Broncho-Esophagology in parallel with an Executive MBA at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Following his fellowship, where he met his wife Jill, he moved to Georgia, Texas, and Washington State over the next 10 years of his military career. While in the military he served as the department chair of Otolaryngology of the Department of Defense’s largest medical treatment facility seeing the highest acuity and volume of any hospital in our military health system.
After retiring from the military in the rank of Colonel, Dr. Howard joined the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center as the Chief of Laryngology and the Director of the UH Voice, Airway and Swallowing Center. He also enjoys his role as an academic otolaryngologist teaching residents and medical students both the art and science of medical practice.
He is the proud father of twins, Ryan and Sydney, who are in the third grade at Hilltop Elementary School. He is married to Jill Howard whom he stole away from California to join him on a number of Army PCS moves before arriving in Cleveland to settle down.
Scott moved frequently as a child with his family, living in New York, Connecticut and California before he was ten years old. It was probably not a surprise to his family that he eventually joined the Army to “see the world.” He enrolled at the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. After 5 years of service, he found a new calling - to serve the military as a physician. Scott graduated from The University of Florida College Of Medicine and completed his internship in General Surgery and residency in Otolaryngology (Ear-Nose-Throat) at the famed Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While at Walter Reed, he witnessed the greatest number of casualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF). While caring for soldiers returning from war with massive head and neck trauma, Dr. Howard realized that the Army did not have a specialist trained in voice and airway reconstruction. At the conclusion of his residency, Scott completed his studies at UCLA with a subspecialty in Laryngology, Voice Disorders, and Broncho-Esophagology in parallel with an Executive MBA at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Following his fellowship, where he met his wife Jill, he moved to Georgia, Texas, and Washington State over the next 10 years of his military career. While in the military he served as the department chair of Otolaryngology of the Department of Defense’s largest medical treatment facility seeing the highest acuity and volume of any hospital in our military health system.
After retiring from the military in the rank of Colonel, Dr. Howard joined the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center as the Chief of Laryngology and the Director of the UH Voice, Airway and Swallowing Center. He also enjoys his role as an academic otolaryngologist teaching residents and medical students both the art and science of medical practice.
My name is Lisa Berns. I am a Registered Nurse in The Surgical Intensive Care Unit at the Cleveland Clinic, Main Campus. I have been a Registered Nurse there for 29 years and was promoted to Assistant Nurse Manager of the SICU in 2019.
I care for critically ill patients many of whom are the sickest of the sick. Throughout the pandemic I have been at the frontline alongside many of my amazing colleagues committed and dedicated to helping others and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. I rise to the challenge in spirit of the true essence of Nursing which is patients first.
While many of my family and friends refer to me as a hero, I believe this is my calling, my life’s work, as I took an oath to advocate and care for my patients. Caring for the sick and vulnerable is my duty, it’s my passion, it’s in my blood and it’s who I am. In addition, I am humbled, honored and privileged to be there for, play a critical role in the wellness of and support my patients, especially during a time when their families were not able. I am blessed to be a Registered Nurse at the Cleveland Clinic devoted to providing safe, high quality world class care.
In addition to my professional career, I serve on the Board of my synagogue, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple as well as on the medical advisory board for the Temple. I also serve on the Executive Board for the Beachwood Athletic Boosters.
I have been married for 19 years to Justin Berns, who was recently elected Mayor of Beachwood. I have 3 children, Caleb (17), identical twins, Allie and Sarah (16) and a fur baby named Eddie (3).
I care for critically ill patients many of whom are the sickest of the sick. Throughout the pandemic I have been at the frontline alongside many of my amazing colleagues committed and dedicated to helping others and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. I rise to the challenge in spirit of the true essence of Nursing which is patients first.
While many of my family and friends refer to me as a hero, I believe this is my calling, my life’s work, as I took an oath to advocate and care for my patients. Caring for the sick and vulnerable is my duty, it’s my passion, it’s in my blood and it’s who I am. In addition, I am humbled, honored and privileged to be there for, play a critical role in the wellness of and support my patients, especially during a time when their families were not able. I am blessed to be a Registered Nurse at the Cleveland Clinic devoted to providing safe, high quality world class care.
In addition to my professional career, I serve on the Board of my synagogue, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple as well as on the medical advisory board for the Temple. I also serve on the Executive Board for the Beachwood Athletic Boosters.
I have been married for 19 years to Justin Berns, who was recently elected Mayor of Beachwood. I have 3 children, Caleb (17), identical twins, Allie and Sarah (16) and a fur baby named Eddie (3).
City of Beachwood-Public Works
Dan Cicchella has been a dedicated member of the Public Works team for the last 14 years. He has one of the most difficult jobs in the City as the Superintendent in charge of vehicle maintenance. Managing a fleet that spans 6 departments, with over 120 on the road vehicles, 90 pieces of off-road equipment and all of the city’s small equipment is no small task. Keeping both Fire and Police Department vehicles in service and on the road has always been a priority and is a key component of keeping Beachwood safe. His steady and positive attitude is a perfect match for the members in his department. They work well together to ensure parts are available and ready to be installed by one of the four dedicated mechanics. He has a bachelor’s degree in education which makes him an extremely well-rounded leader who prides himself on building relationships with employees, vendors and contractors. Even on vacation, he encourages members of all departments to contact him directly 24/7, so he can ensure that the City of Beachwood continues to provide the best of services.
Student Hero
Riley Parke has attended Beachwood High School all four years of her high school career. During her time at the school, she has worked with many of the school's athletic programs. She’s accumulated over 720 hours of community service hours through working with the different programs. She traveled with Beachwood's varsity football team and attended every game and she worked with the girl's varsity basketball team for two years. While working with other programs, she was also a member of the school's girls varsity softball team ever since she was a freshman. She was one of two freshmen to make the team her first year. She also volunteered in many of the school's American Sign Language events throughout the years. She will be attending Cleveland State University and plan to graduate with a degree in Criminology in 2026.