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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; To show their appreciation and respect for the city&#8217;s police, firefighters and paramedics, the First Assembly of God Church hosted a First Responders Breakfast on Tuesday.</p><p>&#8220;We wanted to thank them for their service to our community and to show our appreciation for their commitment and dedication,&#8221; Pastor Ron Swanson said. &#8220;And we wanted to let them know that we pray for them daily &#8212; for their safety and protection. We are humbled as they serve in Wilkes-Barre &#8212; together we are better.&#8221; </p><p>Mayor Tony George attended the breakfast with City Administrator Ted Wampole. The mayor said he was glad to see the first responders be recognized. About 25 attended the event at the Stanton Street church.</p><p>&#8220;This is great,&#8221; George said. &#8220;They should be recognized every day of the year. Too often, first responders are taken for granted. But they are always there when you need them. It&#8217;s nice to see them them honored like this.&#8221;</p><p>Len Bassler, a member of the church, coordinated the breakfast.</p><p>&#8220;We wanted to express our respect and appreciation for all they do every day,&#8221; Bassler said. &#8220;It&#8217;s just our way of saying thank you to them.&#8221;</p><p>Pastor Swanson said he has been at First Assembly of God for almost two years. He said the breakfast was a good way to thank emergency-service professionals.</p><p>&#8220;We love these guys,&#8221; Bassler said. &#8220;They are on the front line every day. They keep the peace in the city and they save lives. They elevate the entire area.&#8221;</p><p>Dave Kline, a member at First Assembly, worked as a first responder from 1972 during the Agnes Flood until retiring in 2013.</p><p>&#8220;We have the utmost respect for the first responders and for the services they provide,&#8221; Kline said. &#8220;This is our way of saying thank you.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s first responders were treated to a breakfast courtesy of the First Assembly of God Church on Stanton Street in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday morning. From left at the table are Captain Robert Suchoski, a 21-year member of the fire department; Captain Paul Meehan, 21-year member; Deputy Chief Alan Klapat, 26-year member; firefighter Shawn Williams, 20-year member; Travis Temarantz, 13-year member; and paramedic of 14 years, Pete Burke. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_TTL011017First-Responders1-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s first responders were treated to a breakfast courtesy of the First Assembly of God Church on Stanton Street in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday morning. From left at the table are Captain Robert Suchoski, a 21-year member of the fire department; Captain Paul Meehan, 21-year member; Deputy Chief Alan Klapat, 26-year member; firefighter Shawn Williams, 20-year member; Travis Temarantz, 13-year member; and paramedic of 14 years, Pete Burke. </caption0><photoCredit0>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_TTL011017First-Responders1.CMYK-1-.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s first responders were treated to a breakfast courtesy of the First Assembly of God Church on Stanton Street in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday morning. From left at the table are Captain Robert Suchoski, a 21-year member of the fire department; Captain Paul Meehan, 21-year member; Deputy Chief Alan Klapat, 26-year member; firefighter Shawn Williams, 20-year member; Travis Temarantz, 13-year member; and paramedic of 14 years, Pete Burke. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_TTL011017First-Responders1.CMYK-1-.jpg</photo1><caption1>Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s first responders were treated to a breakfast courtesy of the First Assembly of God Church on Stanton Street in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday morning. From left at the table are Captain Robert Suchoski, a 21-year member of the fire department; Captain Paul Meehan, 21-year member; Deputy Chief Alan Klapat, 26-year member; firefighter Shawn Williams, 20-year member; Travis Temarantz, 13-year member; and paramedic of 14 years, Pete Burke. </caption1><photoCredit1>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

City’s first responders honored at breakfast at First Assembly of God