08/13/2026
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 At last evening’s council meeting John W. McCance-State Chairman, and John Niemczura, Area Chair, of Ohio Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) ceremoniously re-presented to Mayor Hardman, City Council, Fire Chief Sunderman, and Sharonville Fire Dept the Pro Patria Award.
🪖🪖🪖Initially, on Friday, July 17th on campus at The Ohio State University, at the 2026 Ohio Committee Employer Awards Ceremony of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), our very own Firefighter Paramedic, US Soldier: 1SG Anthony Geesner of the 684th Medical Company of the Ohio Army National Guard, accepted on behalf of the Sharonville Fire Department the Pro Patria Award.
1SG Geesner nominated Sharonville Fire Department for this prestigious state-level recognition award and was selected by the Department of War ESGR, in conjunction with the Department of Defense.
This award is presented to employers who demonstrate exceptional support for employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. It is the highest honor that an individual ESGR State Committee can bestow. Organizations are nominated by their Reserve Component employees, and Ohio ESGR committee volunteers review the nominations to select a recipient in one of three categories: Large Business, Small Business, and Public Sector.
The Pro Patria Award for the Public Sector this year went to Sharonville Fire Dept.
John McCance’s (State Chair) remarks included… for Fire/EMS consideration for the award there are mandated state requirements of what is expected for those depts in support of Reservists and Guardsmen. SFD rose to the top by exceeding those and clearly demonstrating a positive culture for Reservists and Guardsmen. There are 24,000+ Reservists and Guardsman across the State of Ohio. Ohio is the 7th largest contributor to the Dept of War. There are 318 different types of units in the Reserve Components across the State of Ohio. 318 First Responders many being police and fire, so for SFD to be select as the Pro Patria award is an amazing honor!
Senator Jon Husted’s Office also presented recognition to 1SG Geesner and Sharonville Fire Dept.
This Pro Patria Award to 1SG Geesner & the Sharonville Fire Dept was also considered for additional selection for federal recognition in Washington, DC.
1SG Geesner has deployed three times to Jordan, Iraq/Kuwait, and again to Jordan.
Thank you, 1SG Geesner, for the nomination, presentation, and acceptance of this award to & for the Sharonville Fire Dept, and for your service to the United States Military & The Sharonville Fire Dept. We are truly thankful, grateful, and blessed to have you as part of our Sharonville Fire Department.
