New Councilmember David Baltz Appointed & Act of Heroism Award to Sergeant Shane Fiorelli

New Councilmember David Baltz Appointed & Act of Heroism Award to Sergeant Shane Fiorelli
Mayor Rod Sonnichsen (L) presenting Act of Heroism Award to Sergeant Shane Fiorelli (R) during the Broken Bow City Council meeting on January 25, 2022.

BROKEN BOW—A new city councilmember has been appointed following Tuesday night’s Broken Bow City Council meeting. David Baltz was appointed to fill the vacant position of West Ward City Councilmember following the resignation of former council president Jacob Holcomb on Tuesday, January 11.

City Attorney Jason White administered the oath for Baltz who took his position immediately. David Schmidt–who was appointed to the council in February 2020–was elected the new council president.

David Baltz told KCNI/KBBN he is always looking for ways to serve. He said he hopes to bring people together as a team and create change where it is needed.

City Attorney Jason White (R) administering oath to David Baltz (L) following Baltz’s appointment to the Broken Bow City Council on January 25, 2022.

“I’m always looking for ways to serve. I’m assistant chief with the ambulance service and the fire department and have a major emergency services background. Just service, I enjoy it. There are lots of things I can bring a pretty unbiased approach to,” Baltz said.

At the end of the meeting, Sergeant Shane Fiorelli was recognized for an Act of Heroism for his service to a house fire on November 30, 2021. City Administrator Dan Knoell defined a hero as someone who is selfless, causes change, and is willing to risk his/her own life to save another. Knoell said Sergeant Fiorelli embodies courage, patience, selflessness, and humility.

“Sergeant Shane Fiorelli defines those words. If you get a chance to speak with Sergeant Fiorelli you will notice one special character trait: humility. When speaking to Sergeant Fiorelli about his actions he always states the same, ‘I did not do anything that my fellow officers or firefighters wouldn’t do or would have done in the same situation,’” Knoell said.

Dan Knoell said he had the opportunity to experience Sergeant Fiorelli’s actions firsthand as he witnessed a dog being rescued and the search for children.

“With no hesitation, with no thought of himself, just thinking of the three children possibly inside, Sergeant Shane Fiorelli ran as fast as he could back to the house. When realizing he could not get through the front door, Sergeant Fiorelli went through the window and searched the entire house. Luckily there were no children inside but Sergeant Fiorelli did not stop searching until he was 100% sure and every square inch was searched,” Knoell described.

City officials then presented Sergeant Fiorelli with the Act of Heroism Award for his selfless actions. Knoell continued by saying, “thank you for going above and beyond for the community you proudly serve.”

Broken Bow Area Rotary Club President Jessica McCaslin and Rotary Governor of District 5630 Elect Deb McCaslin also presented the Rotary Hero Award saying that Sergeant Shane Fiorelli lives out the Rotary motto of ‘service above self.’

Mayor Rod Sonnichsen thanked two of the many men and women serving our community in times of emergency and possible danger. Emergency Services Director Andy Holland was unable to attend Tuesday night’s meeting but was thanked and congratulated for his recent recognition as Nebraska Emergency Medical Services Association (NEMSA) Emergency Responder of the Year.

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