Orwigsburg Fire Department Capt. Zach Kirsch has been named a 2026 Governor’s Keystone Award honoree for teaching first responders how to assist people with autism and other neurodiverse individuals during emergencies.
Why Zach Kirsch Received the Keystone Award
The Governor’s Office announced Kirsch’s selection on September 23 ahead of the third annual State Dinner at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. He was among 17 Pennsylvanians selected for recognition.
The state said 13 Governor’s Keystone Awards would be presented to people and organizations whose service has made a significant difference in communities across Pennsylvania.
Kirsch has nearly 20 years of experience in emergency services and public safety. According to the Governor’s Office, he provides free training on how emergency personnel can more effectively interact with neurodiverse individuals.
Since launching First Due Autism Training, Kirsch has traveled throughout Pennsylvania and to other states, training more than 3,000 first responders.
The work is personal for Kirsch, whose four-year-old child has autism.
Through First Due Autism Training, Kirsch teaches emergency personnel to recognize signs of autism and adjust how they communicate during tense or unfamiliar situations. The training is available to firefighters, emergency medical personnel, police officers and 911 dispatchers.
“Each of tonight’s honorees exemplifies what makes our Commonwealth special,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said in the state’s announcement.
Other 2026 Governor’s Keystone Award Honorees
Lily Sassani — Allegheny County
Sassani created the Holocaust Education Girl Scout Patch and developed a corresponding curriculum that helps Girl Scouts learn about and remember the Holocaust, connect with survivors and educate their communities.
Within the first month of the program’s launch, more than 350 troop leaders from around the world had taken steps to earn the patch for their troops.
Mae Krier and Dorothy Trate — Bucks and Berks Counties
Krier and Trate are two of Pennsylvania’s original “Rosie the Riveters,” representing the millions of American women who worked in manufacturing plants, shipyards and defense industries during World War II.
Krier began working on B-17 and B-29 bombers for Boeing at age 17. She later helped establish National Rosie the Riveter Day and led efforts to obtain the Congressional Gold Medal honoring women who worked during the war.
Trate operated a punch press in 1944, producing small parts that were later used to build larger machines supporting the war effort.
Dr. Lydia Smeltz — Allegheny County
While attending Penn State College of Medicine, Smeltz learned that training students to care for people with disabilities was not required at medical schools.
Working with her mentor, Dr. Ami DeWaters, Smeltz developed a curriculum covering appropriate language and physical examinations for patients with disabilities. The program is now mandatory for medical and physician assistant students at Penn State.
Smeltz is a second-year physical medicine and rehabilitation resident physician at UPMC.
Trent Davis — York County
Davis is the founder and CEO of Servants Inc., a faith-based nonprofit that provides home repairs, ramps and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners, seniors and people with disabilities.
During the past 26 years, the organization has repaired more than 2,000 homes across Pennsylvania, helping older adults remain safe and independent.
Best of the Batch Foundation — Allegheny County
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch and his wife, Latasha Wilson-Batch, lead the Best of the Batch Foundation, which provides educational, athletic and leadership programs for children and families in underserved communities across Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The organization connects children with meals, STEAM education, emergency assistance and scholarship opportunities.
Child Hunger Outreach Partners — Bradford County
Dani Ruhf founded Child Hunger Outreach Partners, also known as CHOP Out Hunger, after learning that some students at her daughter’s school could not eat because they lacked lunch money.
The nonprofit provides reliable access to nutritious meals for children and families experiencing food insecurity. The program serves more than 50,000 children each week across Northeast Pennsylvania.
Tony and Cheryl Aubrey — Allegheny County
Tony Aubrey, a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, and Cheryl Aubrey, a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, cofounded Operation Vet NOW to help prevent veteran suicide.
The organization connects veterans with resources, reduces isolation and reminds former service members that they are not alone.
Shayna Canty — Monroe County
Canty founded Community Food (Soul)utions, a food recovery nonprofit focused on reducing food insecurity and building community connections.
She has also worked with Meals on Wheels, volunteered with Youth Infusion, served as a youth commissioner with PennSERVE and advocated for African American students and young people.
Beyond the Bars — Philadelphia County
Matt Kerr and Chris Thornton lead Beyond the Bars, a student-driven music and resource nonprofit working to interrupt cycles of violence and community disinvestment.
The organization began 11 years ago as a program for incarcerated youth and has expanded into a citywide network of more than 60 music labs in shelters, trauma clinics, recreation centers, schools and community organizations.
September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance — Allegheny County
Alliance President Jeff McCauley played a key role in developing a 1,500-mile trail connecting the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville.
Liz and Pearse Kerr — Montgomery County
Following the death of their 15-year-old son, Patrick, Liz and Pearse Kerr worked with the Abington Parks and Recreation Department and then-state Rep. Josh Shapiro to establish the Patrick Kerr Memorial Skate Park of Roslyn.
The Kerrs also created a scholarship in Patrick’s memory at Roman Catholic High School. The program has awarded more than 100 scholarships to students.