The Ohio Department of Public Safety and Emergency Medical Services recognized Ohio’s bravest and most dedicated first responders at the recent 2023 Star of Life Awards, including a lifesaving effort by Johnston Township emergency personn el.

Among the first responders who worked hard to serve their community are paramedic Sophia Minor, who saved her grandfather’s life, along with her coworkers, paramedic Kevin Bartchy and emergency medical technician Alex Clark of the Johnston Township Fire Department.

On Nov. 18, 2022, Minor’s grandfather, Martin Williams, was struggling to breathe for hours but resisted anyone’s attempts to call for an ambulance. When Minor’s parents finally called, his condition had worsened. She arrived just in time to perform CPR.

Bartchy and Clark arrived five minutes after Minor had reached the scene. Minor had inserted an IV and gone with her grandfather in the ambulance to the emergency room.

Williams remained in the intensive care unit for two weeks then was transferred to The Cleveland Clinic where he received a pacemaker and was rehabilitated.

He returned home in February and survived because of the rapid quality care he received from Minor and her team.

Minor wanted to be a paramedic since she was a teenager to serve and care for people in her hometown. She became a certified EMT in 2020 at 19 years old and began volunteering at several departments to gain experience.

In 2021, she enrolled in a paramedic program at University Hospitals Cleveland where she graduated second in her class after a year.

Because of Minor’s heroic act, Johnston Township Fire Department was given the title of an EMS Star.

EMS Executive Director Robert Wagoner of the Ohio DPS said that first responders help people physically and emotionally.

“The first responders we honored today represent everything that defines public service,” Wagoner said. “These crews often encounter people at one of the worst moments of their lives, and it’s their dedication, compassion and professionalism that helps patients and their families navigate those emotionally challenging moments.”

The other EMS Stars include Clearcreek Fire District, Loveland-Symmes Fire Department, Ripley Life Squad, Sandusky County EMS, Saybrook Township Fire Department, Tipp City Emergency Services and Westlake Fire Department.