PORT ANGELES — Two Peninsula Daily News reporters were recognized for their coverage of Clallam County Fire District 2 at the district’s annual awards ceremony Saturday.
Senior staff writer Paul Gottlieb received the Chief’s Award of Excellence for his reporting of the district’s talking smoke and carbon monoxide alarm project funded by the Port Angeles Noon Rotary Club, Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue Chief Sam Phillips announced.
Reporter Jesse Major received the same award for his positive coverage of a live fire training exercise on Dec. 3, Phillips said.
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Clallam County Fire District 2 issues awardsJan 26, 2018
“We are very mindful of the power of the pen,” Phillips said in a telephone interview.
“We’re respectful of that, and we appreciate what they did in a couple of cases to get our message out to the community.”
Gottlieb and Major were among four civilians to be awarded at the ceremony for demonstrating substantial support to the fire district in 2017.
“I was surprised and honored to receive the award, and congratulate Jesse as well,” Gottlieb said.
“But receiving this is nothing compared to what the women and men of the fire district and other emergency services put themselves through to keep us safe and secure.
“And of course, I couldn’t get the information I need for our readers without the accessibility and patience of district personnel when we have to write about things like fires, accidents and smoke detectors that the fire district is giving away for free.”
Gottlieb’s story, “Smoke detectors that talk offered free to Clallam Fire District No. 2 residents,” appeared in the PDN May 2.
Major’s story, “Training burn provides Clallam agencies, youths with rare learning opportunity,” appeared Dec. 8.
A photo gallery of the live fire training exercise accompanied the story online at www.peninsula dailynews.com.
“The work I do is nothing compared to the many others honored that night who often put their own lives at risk to help others in the community,” Major said.
“It was an honor to be recognized alongside the heroes who serve our community.”
Forty-two volunteer and career firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics received awards at the Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue ceremony.
Other civilian award winners were Shana Scott, Mt. Olympus District Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, and the district’s administrative services supervisor Heather Catuzo.
Scott was awarded for her work supporting and growing the fire district’s Explorer Post No. 1012, Phillips said.
Catuzo received a Chief’s Award of Excellence for her finance and records work after the state Auditor’s Office gave her high praise, Phillips said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.