These local heroes serve selflessly. Here's why they were recognized Thursday.

First responders who run to the crises most of us run from were recognized Thursday during the 8th Annual Public Safety Awards, hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

The ceremony took place at the Community Volunteer Co. of District 12's banquet hall in Halfway. Award recipients include first responders and volunteers in fire, law enforcement, emergency telecommunications and EMS departments.

“The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is proud and honored to recognize the brave efforts of our public safety and health care professionals,” Chamber President and CEO Paul Frey said in a statement.

“Everyday these professionals go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the lives of our citizens and the property of our homes and businesses. It is a pleasure to be able to publicly give them our sincere thanks and gratitude for all that they do on the behalf of others, often without public recognition.”

Three levels of Medal of Valor awards were distributed. The gold award recognizes an act of bravery involving extreme personal risk that is clearly above and beyond the call of duty, or an incident of valor that results in serious injury or death. The silver award recognizes acts of bravery involving great personal risk beyond the call of duty.

The bronze award recognizes acts of bravery involving unusual personal risk beyond expectation while performing the usual responsibilities of the job. Bronze-level recognition may also be awarded to a responder who demonstrates unusual judgement, zeal or ingenuity during an emergency situation when such an act is beyond that normally expected in the line of duty.

This year’s recipient of the Gold Medal of Valor is Master Police Officer Cory Biden of Hagerstown Police Department, honored for preventing a suicide attempt in oncoming traffic in July 2023.

Backstory: Hagerstown officer saves life of man trying to run into traffic on I-70

The recipient of the Silver Medal of Valor is Deputy Nikolas McKoy of Washington County Sheriff's Office, honored for preventing a suicide attempt involving arson and explosives in September 2023.

Paramedic Zachary Culler of Community Rescue Service and Officer Spencer Nigh of the Hagerstown Police Department received the Bronze Medal of Valor for their quick actions treating an assault victim, which involved scaling a 10-foot metal gate, in June 2023.

Firefighters Liam Harbert and Joshua Merani and Fire Apparatus Operator Charles Mundey of Hagerstown Fire Department received the Bronze Medal of Valor for rescuing an unconscious woman from an apartment fire in August 2023.

The Hero Award honors an individual or team whose actions attempted to save or succeeded in saving a human life. Recipients demonstrate strong knowledge of medical and rescue efforts, quick action and a commitment to service on and off duty.

Officer First Class Mark Morris of the Hagerstown Police Department received the Hero Award for his quick action to treat and save a man with self-inflicted gunshot wounds in November 2023.

Deputy Sara Sutton of Washington County Sheriff's Office received the Hero Award for her life-saving actions creating a makeshift arm tourniquet and providing CPR for a man in an ATV accident in May 2023.

Capt. William Ball III, Firefighter Benjamin Gozora, Fire Apparatus Operator Rodney Guessford, EMT Stacy Lakin, Paramedic Jeremy Mackrell and Firefighter Jeremy Smiley of Williamsport Volunteer Fire - EMS Inc., and Capt. Joshua Eisenhower of the Washington County Division of Emergency Services are receiving the Hero Award for their life-saving response to a cardiac arrest patient in January 2023.

The Unit Achievement Award is awarded to any bureau, division, section, unit or squad exhibiting extraordinary performance and attention to duty, and for an outstanding contribution to the department or to the welfare of our citizens.

Trooper First Class Matthew Doyle, Trooper First Class Derek Harper, Sgt. Richard Kulina, Trooper First Class Zachary O'Neal and Trooper First Class Joshua Socks of the Maryland State Police are receiving the Unit Achievement Award for superior performance as a team and playing an active role in the community.

Backstory: Two dead, three taken to hospitals following multi-vehicle crash on I-81

Six different companies responded to a fatal crash on Interstate 81 in September 2023, involving four tractor trailers, a passenger vehicle and a pickup truck, and there are 38 first responders receiving the Unit Achievement Award. The first responders operated as a team to locate and extricate victims. The award recipients include:

• Jeffrey Paules, Artie Raines, Deputy Chief Phil Ridenour, Fire Apparatus Operator Jeremy Smiley and Firefighter Daniel Taylor of Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Co. Inc. Engine 13-1

• Jack Blair, Brandon Frazier, Chief Mark Miller, Firefighter Matt Munson and Fire Apparatus Operator Tommy Palmer of Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Co. Inc. Rescue Squad 13

• Thomas Bricker, Michael McAtee, Donald McAtee and Payton Timmons of Rescue Hose Company #1, Engine 3-1 of Greencastle, Pa.

• Brian Barkdoll, Doug Bitner, Joshua Hulebak and Tyler Myers of Rescue Hose Company #1, Rescue Squad 3 of Greencastle

• Amber Beam and Matthew Brown of Rescue Hose Company #1, Ambulance 3-9 of Greencastle

• Mark Mentzer, Franklin County (Pa.) Medic 23-31

• Sgt. Rob DePartee and Firefighter Rob Flint of Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company, Engine 27-1

• Firefighter Bill Haines, Deputy Chief Adam Hopkins, Fire Apparatus Operator Kirk Mongan and Firefighter Zack Thomas of Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company, Rescue Engine 27-2

• Firefighter Jimmie Lobley and Driver Quentin Tosten of Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company, Brush 27

• Chief Donnie Bingaman, Firefighter Ben Gozora, Fire Apparatus Operator Steve Hurst and Capt. Levi Taylor of Williamsport Volunteer Fire and EMS Co., Rescue Engine 2

• Capt. Joanna Bingaman, Paramedic Kevin Demmons, EMT Seth Granville, Paramedic Ashley Hess and Paramedic Adam Hess of Community Rescue Service

Telecommunications professionals of the Washington County Department of Emergency Communications, including Emergency Communication Specialist III - Dispatcher Derek Bish, ECS I Donna Burcker, ECS II – Dispatcher Ethan Grim, Supervisor David Litten, ECS II – Dispatcher Rachel Miller, ECS III – Dispatcher Todd Nesbitt, ECS Amanda Wagner and ECS III – Dispatcher Mason White received the Unit Achievement Award for their response to the call reporting the shooting of a Washington County Circuit Court judge in October 2023.

The Telecommunications Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional contribution to the improved delivery of emergency medical, fire and law enforcement services to the citizens and visitors of Washington County through their outstanding dedication and service. Emergency Dispatcher Diane Rosenthal of the Maryland State Police Emergency Dispatch is receiving the Telecommunications Award for continuously demonstrating professionalism and dedication to her role.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a responder who is distinguished from all others of their rank or position, performs above expectation, demonstrates responsibility and initiated a credible accomplishment in the previous year.

Trooper First Class Matthew Doyle of the Maryland State Police received the Distinguished Service award for demonstrating tenacity and a vigorous work ethic, with a passion for public service.

The Community Service award is presented to an individual, group or organization who has worked to better the lives of those in Washington County, either inside or outside of normal job duties, or has performed a single outstanding prevention.

Master Deputy Gerardo Cerda of the Washington County Sheriff's Office received the Community Service award for providing continuous service to Washington County citizens. He provides support for Spanish-speaking residents and volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County. He also assists with law enforcement training at Washington County Technical High School and the Washington County Public Safety Training Center.

The Volunteer Achievement award is presented for volunteer dedication and initiative above and beyond the call of duty over a period of time that has affected and benefited the citizens of Washington County and beyond.

Robyn Ford received the Volunteer Achievement Award for her contributions to Boonsboro Ambulance & Rescue Service, providing innovative ideas to help raise funds and ensuring the successful coordination of popular fundraising events.

President Nolan "Jay" Brandenburg of Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company received the Volunteer Achievement award for 30 years of volunteer service in Washington County. He has been instrumental in securing more than $15 million in grants for Washington County fire and rescue departments.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who encompasses leadership and an exceptional work ethic. He or she has consistently performed above and beyond normal expectation throughout their career.

President Mary Jane "MJ" Blickenstaff of Boonsboro Ambulance & Rescue Service Inc. received the Lifetime Achievement award in honor of her dedicated volunteering service for more than 40 years.

Maj. Mark Knight of the Washington County Sheriff's Office received the Lifetime Achievement award recognizing his 39 years of service to Washington County. During his career, Knight worked his way through the ranks and led detectives in the Criminal Investigation Unit. He demonstrated strong leadership of the award-winning Washington County Special Response Team and received several personal awards and accolades as well.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Chamber recognizes first responders with Public Safety Awards