The Lakewood Fire Department is located at 37 J.W. Packard Blvd. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

LAKEWOOD – You never know when you will need a hero.

Heroes are everyday people, who at any given time, perform duties to help others in their time of need.

That is exactly what two couples did.

They were recently honored by the Lakewood Fire Department and the Chautauqua County Fire Chiefs Association for their heroic efforts at two separate incidents in the village, said Lakewood Chief Kurt Hallberg.

Hallberg noted that on Sept. 11, 2024, Jim Walsh, retired firefighter from FDNY and his wife Anne had just finished dining at a restaurant on Chautauqua Avenue in Lakewood when Anne smelled smoke.

“After rounding the corner, they found a two family residence at 9 Alta Way to be on fire, along with a car in the driveway. They noticed the downstairs occupant still in the house, called 911 and assisted the resident out the window,” Hallberg said. “Jim found a ladder and put it up to a roof that allowed access to the second floor apartment and checked for occupants. Anne helped the resident to the Lakewood Fire Department ambulance where his physical condition was assessed.”

Lakewood Assistant Chief Stephen Smouse was in command as the department handled fire suppression operations. The Walsh’s were awarded the honor of Citizen of the Year by the County Fire Chief’s Association, Kurt Hallberg said.

About a month-and-half later on Oct. 29, 2024, retired Euclid, Ohio firefighter Donald Trobenter and his wife Jennie were working at their home near the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club when they heard a gunshot and a cry for help.

“They noticed a person a couple of hundred yards off shore on Chautauqua Lake clinging to his partially submerged kayak, and was wearing waders that were filling with water. The victim had been duck hunting,” Kurt Hallberg said.

He said that at that time of year most boats including the Fire Department’s rescue boat had been removed from the water for the winter.

“Don got his kayak and paddled out to assist the victim while Jennie called 911,” Kurt Hallberg added.

The victim was able to cling to the kayak as Lakewood Fire Department Captain Alex Hallberg, a member of the County Water Emergency Team, began to swim out to rescue the victim wearing a wetsuit and SCUBA gear.

“There is no question that without the help of Mr. Trobenter, the victim would not have been able to stay above water until help arrived,” Kurt Hallberg said.

The Trobenters were awarded the honor of Citizens of the Year for EMS by the County Fire Chiefs Association.

The Lakewood facilities are located 37 J.W. Packard Blvd. According to lakewoodny.gov, the department also provides a state-of-the-art training grounds which includes multiple training facilities for a wide range of scenarios and live practice including a live burn building, a 6-story rescue tower, a propane powered car fire simulator,

A hose advancement course, bodies of water, multiple hydrants, a bailout and ventilation building, and a flashover simulator.

This privately owned property, located on Pleasantview Avenue, also includes recreational facilities for members and their families to enjoy, the website said.

On June 9, The Lakewood Village Board of Trustees accepted an $18,000 grant from the Community Foundation to help defray the cost of a battery operated Hurst Tool for the Lakewood Fire Department.

Kurt Hallberg said the Hurst Tool will be placed on the new rescue truck when it goes into service.

The Hurst Tool, Trustee Ben Troche said, is “incredibly important to not only the Village of Lakewood, and the town of Busti, but this entire region for public safety.”

Troche said the Hurst Tool is used for auto extrication in cases of a person or people being trapped in a motor vehicle after an accident.

“That (piece) of equipment better known as the Jaws of Life, can cut apart vehicles for extrication,” Troche said.

The village board also accepted on behalf of the LVFD a $3,735.50 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for the acquisition of safety equipment.