FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2018
Communications Manager 
(703) 525-2400, ext. 203
Event photos can be found here. High resolutions images available upon request.
Cristol Addresses the State of Arlington County, Local Heroes Honored
Arlington, Va. - The Arlington Chamber of Commerce today held the State of the County & Public Safety Awards, which celebrated Arlington's economic achievements, the community's future, and all who make the area an excellent place to live and work. The community-focused breakfast event began with an address by Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol, who highlighted the economic and development status of Arlington. The Chamber then honored public safety personnel and first responders from Arlington County's Office of Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management, Police Department, Office of the Sheriff, and Fire Department, who have exemplified extraordinary heroic actions and exceptional performance of their duties. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in Virginia Hospital Center and the Fire Department's Hands to Heart initiative, which teaches Arlington residents how to save a life with hands-only CPR.

County Board Chair Katie Cristol gives her first State of the County address
"I feel deep conviction in reporting to you that the state of the county is strong, because here in Arlington, our potential is boundless." said Cristol, before a crowd of nearly 200 attendees. " We have the right team in place and the right resources, and we're making significant progress in our goal of making it easier to do business in Arlington County."

In her remarks, Cristol discussed her main initiatives, which include affordable housing, child care accessibility, transportation, and planning the development of Lee Highway, a project she says will begin this September. Cristol also made mention of Amazon's consideration of Arlington as a potential home for its HQ2, saying,  " Whatever decision Amazon makes about the location of Amazon HQ2, their consideration of Arlington means that the national spotlight has found Arlington County -- our excellent workforce, talent, education, and resources."

This was Cristol's first time delivering the State of the County address. Cristol was unanimously elected by her colleagues to serve  as the 2018 Chair of the Arlington County Board in January.

2018 Public Safety Award honorees
Following the State of the County address, awards were presented to honor Arlington County's public safety personnel and first responders.  Twenty-four honorees were recognized for their courageous, often lifesaving, actions in the line of duty.  Leadership of all respective departments submitted nominations for the honorees, based on their performance over the past year. A selection committee chose the final winners.

The 2018 Public Safety Award honorees are as follows: 

Arlington County Office of Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management
Life-Saving Award
ECT III Leah Schaeffer
ECT II Morgan Turner
Valor Award
ECT III Deborah De La Fuente 
ECT III Joan Delalian

Arlington County Police Department
Meritorious Service Award
Captain Michelle Nuneville
Life Saving Award
Public Safety Communications Watch Officer Tom Febrey
First Sergeant Stephen Taphorn
Deputy Sheriff Andrew Woodrow
Valor Award
Corporal Matthew Chattillion
Officer Steven A. Yanda

Arlington County Office of the Sheriff
Life-Saving Award
Deputy Omar Fuentes
Corporal John Skoczdopole

Arlington County Fire Department
Life-Saving Award
Firefighter Chad Aldridge
Captain II Claude Conde
Captain Robert Crandall
Firefighter Joel Falinski
Firefighter Paul Harrison
Lieutenant Brian Hayden
Firefighter Michael Hogan
Lieutenant Mark Jaquays
Firefighter Cody Ramsey
Firefighter Chad Stamps
Firefighter Jonathan Talley
Firefighter Jeffrey Zynel

Special thanks to our sponsors, including Grand Sponsor Virginia Hospital Center and Keynote Sponsor Dominion Energy.

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For access to this release and other statements by the Chamber, click here.

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Founded in 1924, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is a member-centric, volunteer-based, non-profit organization of approximately 750 businesses committed to the economic and civic well-being of the community. For more information or to become a member, visit the Chamber website.