FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2022
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MEDIA CONTACT: Samantha Ruark
Communications Manager
communications@arlingtonchamber.org
(703) 525-2400 ext. 205
Event photos can be found here.
Video recording available upon request.
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County Board Chair Katie Cristol Addresses the State of Arlington County, Local Heroes Honored |
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ARLINGTON, Va. - This morning, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce held the State of the County & Public Safety Awards, which recognized Arlington's economic innovations, the community's future, and those who make the area a great place to live and work. Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol gave an address highlighting Arlington's economic status. The Chamber then honored public safety personnel and first responders from Arlington County's Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management, and Sheriff's Office who have exemplified heroic actions and exceptional performance of their duties.
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(left) Life-Saving Award Winner Corporal Juan Montoya and Police Chief Andy Penn |
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The annual event was held as a webinar with a catered breakfast provided to 100 first responders and public safety personnel through the support of event sponsorships and registrations. The event which was sponsored by VHC health, was emceed by ABC7/WJLA's Victoria Sanchez.
Katie Cristol began her State of the County address by acknowledging the difference between this year and the last time she gave this address in 2018. “It's true that we are not the same Arlington that we were four years ago, and after all we have endured, there is no going back to the way we used to be. But what if because of all of the struggle and trial, we were better?”
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She spoke about Arlington's economy and its challenges, but also its major transformations such as the growth of the technology sector, including the arrival of Amazon, Boeing, and Raytheon headquarters. These expansions hope to bring new partnerships for school facilities and with other organizations in the community. She said that these partnerships and changes have a goal of "a truly inclusive innovation economy that lifts up and benefits from the talents of everyone in Arlington."
She also spoke about recent transportation investments, the Arlington housing market, and the importance of the health care and public safety sectors. After her address, she answered questions on a number of issues relevant to the business community including, her thoughts on the Missing Middle Housing Study, the increasing office vacancy rate, temporary outdoor seating, and the continued challenges of emerging from a pandemic.
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Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol |
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Regarding the Missing Middle Housing study she said, "It is a responsibility to listen to and reach different voices on this matter and broaden who is at the table making the decisions." Chair Cristol noted that the housing market is a top priority for her saying, "Who is Arlington for if only the wealthiest can afford to live here?"
The office vacancy rate is one of the biggest challenges for Arlington right now standing at 20.9% in the first quarter of 2022, which is up from 16.3% in 2020. In regards to handling this challenge Cristol said, "There is a lot of uncertainty moving forward, but with AED leadership we are in incredibly strong hands during the transition. We are in great hands with our acting Director Shannon Flanagan-Watson who has the mindset of direct service to businesses. Reducing the vacancy rates remains a top priority for economic development." She emphasized the importance of coordination between the economic development Planning and Zoning offices to ensure that the County is not just reacting to innovations, but planning for and welcoming them.
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Meritorious Service Award Winner Captain Cheryl Long |
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Following the State of the County address, awards were presented to honor Arlington County's public safety personnel and first responders. Thirteen honorees were recognized for their courageous, and often life-saving, actions in the line of duty and beyond. Leadership of all respective departments submitted nominations for the honorees, based on their performance over the past year.
Among the honorees was Firefighter/Paramedic Jeremy Tate who received the Valor Award for his heroic acts, on July 28, 2021, when Arlington County Fire Department Units were dispatched to a construction site, where a heavy machine operator who was working at the bottom of the excavation site, had gone into cardiac arrest.
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It was determined that the easiest, safest, and quickest way to remove the patient from the excavation site was by utilizing the site’s tower crane and the Arlington County Fire Department’s stokes basket. While harnessed to the basket with the patient, suspended from the tower crane, Tate monitored the Lucas Device that was providing continuous chest compressions while also ventilating the patient via a bag valve mask. As they were lifted from the construction site, the patient regained a pulse and was safely transferred to the ambulance. In the ambulance, a pulse was maintained the entire transport and care was transferred to ER staff for further treatment. |
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The 2022 Public Safety Award honorees are as follows:
Arlington County Department of Public Safety Communications
and Emergency Management
Meritorious Service Award
Director Dr. Aaron Miller
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Arlington County Office of the Sheriff |
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Life-Saving Award
Deputy Babatunde Agboola
Life-Saving Award
Deputy Christopher Laureano
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Meritorious Service Award
Corporal Shellie Pugh-Washington
Life-Saving Award
Deputy Seaton Sok
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Arlington County Police Department |
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Life-Saving Award
Officer Jesse R. Brown
Meritorious Service Award
Master Police Officer Tara Crider
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Life-Saving Award
Corporal Thomas DeNoville
Life-Saving Service Award
Corporal Juan Montoya
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Arlington County Fire Department |
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Life-Saving Award
Firefighter C.J. Kretzer
Meritorious Service Award
Captain Cheryl Long
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Life-Saving Award
Firefighter Aaron Scoville
Valor Award
Firefighter/Paramedic Jeremy Tate
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A recording of the State of the County and Public Safety Awards program is available on YouTube.
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ABOUT THE CHAMBER
Founded in 1924, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership organization of approximately 700 businesses committed to strengthening businesses and the economic environment for those who work, live, and do business in Arlington. The Chamber supports our members through networking, advocacy, professional development, and community engagement. For more information or to become a member, visit www.arlingtonchamber.org.
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