GOSHEN, Ohio — Goshen Township Fire and EMS recognized its top-performing members at the department’s sixth annual awards banquet over the weekend, honoring a standout rookie, a top firefighter and lifesaving actions by several members.
Firefighter Jessie Blevins was named the department’s 2026 Rookie of the Year, the department said in a Facebook post. Firefighter Tyler Pilcher received the Firefighter of the Year award, and Lt. Engled was honored as Officer of the Year.
The department also presented Life Saving Awards to Lt. Messer, Lt. Engled, Firefighter Grooms, Firefighter Pegram and Firefighter Holland, along with Goshen Police Officer Vanover, for their roles in saving lives in the field, according to the department.
Goshen Township Fire and EMS is led by Chief Edward Myers, who was promoted to the position in January 2022 after serving as deputy chief since December 2018. Myers spent 20 years with the City of Wilmington Fire Department before joining Goshen’s department, according to the township. Deputy Chief Kevin Lynch, who has served with the department since 2005 and was promoted to his current role in 2024, oversees training and EMS operations.
The department’s roots date to 1997, when Goshen Township’s fire service transitioned from a privately run community operation into a public township department, according to the township.
The information contained in this story was obtained from Goshen Township Fire and EMS.