N.C. City Marks First Responders Day

Sept. 11--DURHAM -- First responders across Durham County were recognized for the selfless actions they do on a daily basis because of their jobs Thursday morning. Not only was Thursday a day to recognize those first responders, but it was also a day to remember the thousand of first responders who lost their lives 13 years ago during the attacks on 9/11.

Carmella Melton, manager of human relations and communication for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, helped welcome the first responders.

"As someone who began her career with the City of Durham Fire Department ... I know firsthand the commitment and sacrifices you make each day in your service," Melton said.

She said that even though the first responders are working holidays and long hours away from their families, they're still able to go to work every day with a commitment to the community.

It's that spirit of commitment to the community that Melton sees as going "above and beyond" the call of duty.

BCBS of North Carolina was a title sponsor for the event.

As first responders enjoyed a breakfast in their honor mini-billboard awards were given to Heroes of the Year and Departments of the Year. Over 200 people were in attendance for the breakfast, the majority of them were first responders in some way -- whether they were firefighters, police officers or even emergency communication specialists.

Each agency had the option to choose between award categories.

Honorees at the breakfast were:

--Investigator Thomas Scozzafava, Hero of the Year -- Durham Police Department

--Trooper Michael Potts, Hero of the Year -- N.C. State Highway Patrol

--Officer Michael Wichowski, Hero of the Year -- N.C. Central University Police Department

--Chandra Fullard, Hero of the Year -- Durham Emergency Center

--Todd Elliott, Hero of the Year -- Durham City Fire Department

--Paramedic Lieutenant Robert Bass, Hero of the Year -- Durham county emergency Medical Services

Department honors were given to:

--Duke University Police Department

--Durham County Volunteer Fire Departments -- Bahama, Bethesda, Lebanon, Parkwood and Redwood

--Durham Technical Community College Campus Police and Public Safety

--Durham County Sheriff's Office

Joan Vinas of Fidelity was on hand Thursday to thank the first responders. Vinas and other members of the Fidelty team reached out to the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce to put on the breakfast.

City Council member and Mayor Pro-Temp Cora Cole-McFadden was also present at the breakfast on behalf of Mayor Bill Bell, who could not attend.

Cole-McFadden read off an official city proclamation dubbing Thursday First Responders Day in Durham, as a way to honor the work they do and to mark what the Chamber hopes to be the first of many recognition breakfasts.

Copyright 2014 - The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C.