BERNSON SALUTES LOCAL HEROES.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Staff Writer

VAN NUYS - They are the people others want around when things go awry: the outstanding firefighters and police officers who go where the fires rage and the gunfire flies.

Six police officers, five firefighters and two paramedics - all based in the San Fernando Valley - were honored Thursday during Councilman Hal Bernson's 21st annual recognition luncheon at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys.

``They are being honored for their outstanding dedication to duty and service to the community,'' said Bernson's spokesman, Ali Sar.

Hundreds of community leaders and business people from throughout the San Fernando Valley, including LAPD Chief Bernard C. Parks and Fire Chief William Bamattre, attended.

The 13 honorees were selected by their commanders and battalion chiefs stationed in Bernson's district in the Northwest Valley.

They include:

--Capt. Frank David of Station 70 in Northridge, responsible for saving a firefighter's life by sharing his breathing mask and dragging the lost firefighter out of harm's way.

--David Riles, a firefighter and paramedic at Station 72 in Canoga Park, honored for his leadership and life-saving skills.

--John Moede, a firefighter and paramedic at Station 83 in Encino, recognized for his expertise in disaster preparedness and urban search and rescue abilities.

--Raymond Walker, a firefighter and staff assistant for Battalion 14 in the Southeast Valley, who has responded to countless structure and brush fires and rescues.

--Derek Vehling, an apparatus operator from Station 102 in Valley Glen, who trains firefighters in wilderness firefighting.

--Donald Carter, a fire pilot from Air Operations at Van Nuys Airport, honored in part for his actions in transporting severely burned firefighters from front-line positions.

--Capt. Theodore Menold of Station 74 in Tujunga, honored for his teaching in the recruit drill tower.

--Detective Douglas Monteith of the Los Angeles Police Department's Organized Crime and Vice Division, who is in charge of the team targeting sports bookmaking.

--Officer Cedric Ingram of the LAPD's Foothill Division, assigned to the p.m. watch patrol, where he trains probationary officers.

--Officer Brett Robinson of the Valley Traffic Division, who averaged 22.8 traffic citations daily in 1999.

--Officer Michael Neighbors, a training officer for the West Valley Division, honored for his quality of arrests and investigations, and his effectiveness in working with residents in the community.

--Detective Robert Graybill of the Valley Bureau's Community Effort to Combat Auto Theft unit, honored for his professionalism in providing training in stakeouts and auto theft prevention.

--Lt. Joseph Eddy, officer in charge of Devonshire Division detectives, honored for his leadership in such programs as the Volunteer Surveillance Team and Area-Wide Business Watch.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Councilman Hal Bernson and Fire Chief William Bamattre and LAPD Chief Bernard C. Parks, center, honor, back row, Michael Neighbors, Cedric Ingram, Brett Robinson, Douglas Monteith, Robert Graybill and Joseph Eddy, and, front row, Donald Carter, David Riles, Frank David, Derek Vehling, John Moede, Theodore Menold and Raymond Walker.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News