Girl saved from drowning, man pulled from fiery crash by Red Cross heroes in York, Adams counties

Ty Lohr
York Daily Record

 

Seven local heroes were celebrated Thursday morning by the American Red Cross South Central Pennsylvania Chapter.

The event took place at an awards breakfast at the Wyndham Garden in West Manchester Township.

Those honored, and the descriptions provided by the Red Cross, were as followed:

Hero Award – Aquatics

Arwin Burgos – Arwin was working at TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Springettsbury Township when he was summoned by guests to the pool area on Feb. 16. He arrived to find an unresponsive 3-year-old girl who had been pulled from the water after falling in while playing with her siblings. Quickly springing into action, Arwin managed to revive the child using CPR before first responders arrived on scene.

Watch:This man saved a 3-year-old from nearly drowning

 

Hero Award – Adult Good Samaritan

Ethan Fry, Daniel Donnan and Richard Smith – On Feb. 27, a driver suffering a medical emergency lost control of his vehicle, causing it to crash and catch fire in Loganville. As first responders rushed to the scene, Ethan Fry, Daniel Donnan and Richard Smith – without regard for their own safety – managed to free the trapped driver from the car. Their heroic action helped to save the driver from further injury or even death.

Watch:These men helped free a trapped driver from a crash

 

More:Red Cross heroes 'inspiration to all of us'

More:Photos: Red Cross Local Heroes award recipients 2017

More:Acts of courage: Stories of Red Cross local heroes that inspire

Hero Award – Youth Good Samaritan

Rhiannon Lubaszewski – Northeastern School District student Rhiannon Lubaszewiski is an extremely active young woman in her community who plays softball, skis, does baton twirling, and participates in local pageants. This past year she was struck that there were no special needs girls represented in the pageants in which she participates. Seeking to give all young girls the chance to shine on stage, she worked to create the Miss York County Star Special Needs Pageant, open to special needs girls ages 5 to 21 in her community.

Watch:This high schooler wants all girls to shine on stage

 

Hero Award – Law Enforcement

Robert Miller – York Area Regional Police Officer Robert Miller responded to a call for a man who collapsed while mowing his lawn on June 8. Officer Miller arrived at the house to find a neighbor administering CPR to the man who – as it turns out – had suffered a heart attack. Taking control of the situation, Officer Miller applied an AED and alternated between the AED and CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene, helping to save the man’s life.

Watch:This officer helped save a man's life following a heart attack

 

Hero Award – Community Impact

Kenneth Althoff – Adams County has a true local hero in Kenneth Althoff, a volunteer with The Gleaning Project of South Central Pennsylvania. Since 2013, Kenneth has volunteered over 1,000 hours to the project, which works to restock the shelves of low-income families and seniors in the community – helping to ensure that everyone has enough to eat. On evenings and weekends, Kenneth can be found harvesting fresh produce from local farms. On weekdays, he serves as the manager of the Project’s produce stand located at South Central Community Action Programs, Inc.

Watch:Volunteering over 1,000 hours to help low-income families eat

 

Hero Award – Firefighter

Zachary Anthony and Ivan Flanscha (posthumously) – City of York firefighters Zachary Anthony and Ivan Flanscha were battling a three-alarm blaze at the former Weaver Piano & Organ Company building on North Broad Street when a wall of the building collapsed, bringing four stories of debris down upon them. Zachary and Ivan, along with two additional firefighters, were pulled from the building and rushed to the local hospital. Unfortunately, Zachary and Ivan did not survive. Both of these heroic men were role models in our community – dedicated to their families, their work and the people they served.

More:The last alarm for two fallen York firefighters

Watch:Fallen York City firefighters honored with hero award

 

York Fire Chief David Michaels, center, smiles for a photo after receiving the 'Community Leadership' award on Nov. 15, 2018, at the Wyndham Gardens York. He received the award for his leadership and work regarding the deadly fire at the former Weaver Piano & Organ Company, on March 22.

 

Community Award – Community Leadership

York Fire Chief David Michaels – Members of the City of York Fire Department of Fire/Rescue Services were working the scene of a structure fire at the former Weaver Piano & Organ Company building on North Broad Street when a wall of the building collapsed without warning, trapping four firefighters inside on March 22. Chief David Michaels remained on the scene in the collapse zone with first responders during the attempt to extricate the trapped firefighters. Unfortunately, two of the men did not survive. Chief Michael’s leadership during the dark and emotional days and weeks that followed helped the department to recover from its tragic loss as they continued their commitment to providing professional service to the people of York.

Watch:York City fire chief's bravery honored with leadership award