South San Francisco Local Responders Honored and Recognized by the Peninsula Council of Lions

Post Date:03/27/2024 8:26 AM

PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, March 27, 2024

South San Francisco Local Responders Honored and Recognized by the Peninsula Council of Lions

59th Annual Police and Firefighter Awards Banquet recognized first responders for extraordinary Service, Valor, and Acts of Heroism

On Friday, March 22, 2024, the Peninsula Council of Lions Clubs held their 59th annual Police, Sheriff and Firefighters Awards Banquet at the Crowne Plaza Foster City featuring keynote speaker, Former Congresswoman Jackie Speier.

City Manager Sharon Ranals, Chief of Police Scott Campbell, Deputy Fire Chief Matt Samson, and other Command Staff members attended the event in support of our Public Safety Personnel.

"We are proud to announce that our very own, Lieutenant Chris Devan, Sergeant Amy Sariotti, Officer Matt Zander, Officer Jonathan Yoshida, and Fire Apparatus Engineer Rob Towle were among the special group of first responders that were recognized and honored," shared Fire Chief Jess Magallanes.

• Sergeant Sariotti received the Police Service Award for her outstanding service to our community, allied law enforcement partners, and other non-governmental organizations in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child forensic interviewing.
• Paramedic Firefighter Towle received the Fire Service Award for his exceptional service to our community by leading the annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive that serves hundreds of deserving families and children.
• Officer Yoshida received the Police Valor Award for his diligence and investigative expertise to locate an individual suffering from a mental health crisis. His actions saved the lives of this individual and their family who were all in extreme peril.
• Lieutenant Devan and Officer Zander received the Police Heroism Award for putting their lives at risk to save an individual trapped inside a burning vehicle.

In addition, the Peninsula Council of Lions reviews all nominations and selects an awardee from each category to receive the San Mateo County Area Wide Award.

"We are thrilled to announce that it was a clean sweep for our great Police Department Personnel who were presented the Area Wide Awards for Police Service, Police Valor, and Police Heroism," said Police Chief Scott Campbell.

"Congratulations to all the awardees, and thank you to the Peninsula Council of Lions for honoring this special group of first responders!" said Sharon Ranals. "We couldn't be more proud."

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About the City of South San Francisco

The City of South San Francisco proudly remains The Industrial City, a reflection of its steel mill and ship building past, redefined to reflect the innovative, entrepreneurial, and industrious spirit which has made South San Francisco the Biotech Capital of the World, with 217 active biotech companies and growing. A vibrant community of 66,185 residents, South San Francisco enjoys a high quality of life with an extensive public parks system, active library and learning programming and a dynamic, engaged community making South San Francisco a great place to live, learn, work, and play.