Pacific Beach Town Council held its 42nd annual Police and Emergency Services Appreciation Night on Sept. 28 at North Crown Point Shores Rotary Club Pavilion.
In 2022, firefighters of Station 21 in PB were honored for their public service. The annual fundraiser is attended by representatives from the San Diego Police Department Northern Division, Station 21 of San Diego Fire-Rescue, San Diego lifeguards, and the City’s Park and Rec Department.
Each year, first responders nominate one of their own to receive the PBTC Service Award. In 2019, the inaugural Rose Marie Starns Service Award was presented to Stacey LoMedico, in recognition of her 19 years of leadership while with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.
For 42 years, Evans Hotels and PAESAN co-founder Anne Evans have supported PAESAN.
Pacific Beach Town Council thanks PAESAN corporate sponsors who generously made this event possible and helped foster the ability to gift crucial items on the priority wish list of the local firefighters.
Sponsors included Evans Hotels, Ocean Park Inn, Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages, SeaWorld, Pacific Beach Woman’s Club, American Legion Auxiliary 552, Mission Beach Women’s Club, O.M.B.A.C., and Discover PB.
The event also honored 2022 PB Honorary Mayors Claudia and Bill Allen, as well as recognized past honorary mayors Eve Anderson, Lou Cumming, John Fry, Alan Harris, Karl Jaedtke, Bill Marsh, Marcella Teran, and Joe Wilding. The Allens purchased a new Polaris for the beach team.
New San Diego Police Department Northern Division Capt. Erwin Manansala and his team, including community relations officer Jessicamarie Thrift, were introduced.
Councilmember Dr. Jen Campbell represented District 2.
Beverly and Bill Vail presented a $1,000 check to the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in memory of Delores McGregor. RSVP participants serve from a few to more than 40 hours a week in organizations that range from hospitals and youth centers to local police stations. RSVP involves seniors in services that match their personal interests and makes use of their skills and lifelong experiences.
Speakers included Lifeguard Chief James Gartland and Sgt. Dan Orloff, Fire-Rescue Chief Colin Stowell, and Fire Capt. Rich Marcello along with Asst. Chief John Wood and Deputy Chief David Gerboth.
PAESAN 2021 celebrated the San Diego Lifeguards. PAESAN 2020 was not held in person due to Covid-19 concerns and public health orders against large gatherings. But the support continued. For the police of Northern Division, PBTC purchased a new refrigerator, beach ATV helmet communication speakers, cargo bags, a new piece of workout equipment, and new office chairs.
PAESAN 2019 honored and fulfilled the wish list of the park rangers and park maintenance staff of PB parks. PAESAN 2018 raised enough money to make $50,000 in improvements to make the Station 21 work environment cleaner and safer. A giant extractor fan now removes carcinogenic substances from the air where firefighters work, and new high-end commercial washers and dryers extract toxic materials from the gear they wear. Firefighters were also able to construct a clean work area for equipment repairs and provide a commercial ice maker so firefighters can load up their coolers when they go on fire calls.
