Dauphin County Commissioners Present Craig Webb Memorial Awards for Outstanding Police, Fire and EMS Officers

The Dauphin County Commissioners honored three outstanding public servants this week with Craig Webb Memorial Awards.

Each year, the commissioners present the award to outstanding representatives of police, fire, and EMS services – the award named in honor of the late Craig Webb, a longtime paramedic who died suddenly on Dec. 18, 2004.

“These brave individuals answer calls in the face of danger, and I am humbled by their commitments to serve us all,” Dauphin County Commissioner Chair Mike Pries said.

The 2021 winners are: Todd Witmer (police), Kenneth McCann Jr. (fire), and Robert Smith (EMS).

The three men were among a large crowd for the awards ceremony during the County Commissioners’ public meeting on Dec. 8.

- Witmer, a sergeant with Lower Paxton Township police, has been with that force 23 years, serving in the Criminal Investigation Division and as an expert polygrapher.

He is also a trained crisis negotiator on Dauphin County Critical Incident Response Team.

“No one does it alone,” Witmer said, recognizing his family, mentors, and peers. “I have a large continent to which I’m connected.”

- Commissioner Chad Saylor awarded McCann as Fire and Rescue Leader of the Year.

“Every hour, somewhere in the county, (a firefighter) is getting up from the meal table or getting out of bed to sacrifice,” Commissioner Saylor said.

McCann has been in fire service since 1985 and has also been an EMT for that timeframe. He served as Progress Fire Company’s Chief from 2018 to 2020 and is still an active and life member of that company.

He is a founder of the county’s haz-mat team and is a water rescue instructor for the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission.

McCann recognized his son, currently deployed in the U.S. Army and a career firefighter; his mother for her enduring support; and the benefits of serving under and alongside three Webb Award winners.

- Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III awarded Smith as EMS Provider of the Year.

“We have some of the best trained and most coordinated operations of anywhere in the country,” Hartwick said.

Smith, of Susquehanna Township EMS, recognized his dad, who has passed, Donald Smith Jr. – a previous Webb Award winner.

“He is the reason I keep doing what I am doing,” Smith said.

Jeff Enders, director of Dauphin County Department of Public Safety, gave special recognition to the families of all emergency responders.

“We must not lose sight of what their families sacrifice each and every day,” Enders said.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett Hambright, Press Secretary, 717-780-6311; bhambrght@dauphinc.org.