TROY, NY - During the Troy Firefighters Local 86 Retirement Dinner held on April 8th, one of our longtime Senior Correspondents, Jeffrey Belschwinder, was recognized for receiving Second Place for Best News Story from the 2021 International Association of Fire Fighters Media Awards Contest for a story he wrote for our publication.

The story, "Second-Alarm House Fire Claims Life of Child in Troy", was featured in our June 2021 New York edition, and like many of Jeff's stories, it also made the front cover.

According to the IAFF website, the IAFF Media Awards Contest recognizes affiliates for their best work in communicating with their members and the public, and honors reporting and photography that best portray professional fire fighters and paramedics as dedicated all-hazards responders. The IAFF Media Awards Contest also helps create a greater awareness of the important and dangerous work IAFF members in the United States and Canada do to keep the public safe.

This nationally held contest is very competitive, and to receive an award is a great honor. In a Facebook post, Jeff said "I would like to thank all of my followers and family for their continued support. I will continue to do my best to serve the public with covering our emergency responders in the area. I would also like to thank my significant other, Katelyn. She is my rock. Thank you for always putting up with me running out the door day and night, late nights editing photos, and the radios on in the house all the time."

On behalf of all of us at 1st Responder News, we want to say congratulations Jeff! We are so proud of your amazing accomplishment and appreciate your continued dedication to our publication.