Sonoma Valley firefighters get recognition

Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue firefighters who rescued a man from a burning building, and a fire captain who saved a 4-year-old’s life, were honored in a ceremony at the Al Mazza Fire Station Thursday.

Fire Chief Stephen Akre and Battalion Chiefs Jim Comisky and Spencer Andreis bestowed the honors for actions above and beyond the call of duty.

Gary Johnson was honored for saving the life of a 4-year-old girl who was choking at Lake Siskiyou where he and his family were vacationing July 31, 2017.

Seven firefighters who worked together to pull an unconscious man from a building engulfed in flame on San Carlos Drive in El Verano April 25 also received honors. The firefighters were Capt. Joe Pierson, Engineer Dustin Garcia, Firefighter Joe Kirkwood, Capt. Luke Loftus, Engineer Ben Gulson, Firefighter Nate Sussex and Apprentice Firefighter Mike Norrbom.

Additionally, 12 members of the firefighting team received official service badges, some in absentia because they were out fighting fires. Training Officer Brian Cyr, Capt. Kyle Lely, Engineers Marty Amon and Mason Lewis, Firefighters Spyro Drossos, Nate Sussex and Laura Wood were officially recognized.

Also, Apprentice Firefighters Brianna Benson, Chris Kirkwood and Mike Montgomery and Volunteer Capts. Joe Bolt and Joe Neely were also officially recognized.