Dwayne J. Nienberg

Putnam County Office of Public Safety EMT‑B Dwayne J. Nienberg was born and raised in Ohio, where his early years were shaped by family, hard work, and a deep curiosity about the world. His father, a dedicated truck driver, spent long hours on the road, and young Nienberg cherished every opportunity to travel alongside him—especially during the summers. When he wasn’t riding in the passenger seat of a semi, he was home with his mother and grandmother, developing his interests in football, wrestling, and working with his hands. Nienberg was a Sheriff’s Explorer while in high school, and he was always very interested in the United States Army. 

Guided by a desire to serve and uplift others, Nienberg enlisted in the Army in September 2005. He served with the 371st Sustainment Brigade, the 36th Infantry, and the 37th Infantry, ultimately earning the rank of Specialist. After completing his military service, he redirected his commitment to helping others into a new calling—Emergency Medical Services. As an EMT, Nienberg found purpose in meeting people on their hardest days and offering steady, compassionate care when it mattered most. This was further demonstrated during his service as a Volunteer Firefighter from 2011 to 2015.

In 2019, while responding to an EMS call, Nienberg and his wife, Janelle, were involved in a devastating rollover motor vehicle accident. Nienberg was ejected from the vehicle and thrown 70 feet; Janelle remained trapped for just over an hour. The injuries he sustained were life‑altering: incomplete spinal cord injuries at C5, C6, and C7; severe central stenosis; a closed head injury; multiple spinal fractures; a sternum fracture; lumbar fractures; traumatic rhabdomyolysis; incomplete quadriplegia; and bilateral finger contractures. Recovery was slow and grueling—filled with daily challenges, setbacks, and small victories. Nienberg spent nearly four months in the hospital, followed by outpatient therapy, relying on the unwavering support of Janelle, their seven children, and other close family members throughout his journey. He remains profoundly grateful for all who stood by his side in his time of need. 

Today, Nienberg continues to serve his community through his involvement with the Free Masons, the American Legion, the VFW, and ATHS. He looks forward to building a future in a fully accessible smart home that supports his needs, as well as those of his large, loving family. He is deeply thankful to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, whose Smart Home Program has provided him with a mortgage‑free home that has transformed his family’s quality of life.

Putnam County Office of Public Safety EMT-B Dwayne J. Nienberg hopes his story reminds others of a simple but powerful truth: never give up – keep pushing forward no matter how hard life gets, and never stop believing that you can achieve more.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided Putnam County Office of Public Safety EMT-B Dwayne J. Nienberg with a mortgage-free smart home through the Smart Home Program.