Breakfast Event
On Friday, March 19, 2010, the Western Connecticut 2010 Heroes were honored at the Heroes breakfast event held at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. Congratulations to these remarkable community heroes.

Emcee: Marie O'Neill, Union Savings Bank
Cynthia McIntyre, Cynthia McIntyre Photography

Sponsors
Statewide Sponsors:
Webster Bank
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Presenting Sponsor:
Connecticut Light & Power Company
Sponsors:
Cartus
Danbury Hospital
Digital Video Productions
Kimberly-Clark
Union Savings Bank

Our 2010 Heroes of Western Connecticut

Firefighter Joseph Schaad, III, Bethel	. Joseph Schaad has dedicated his life to aiding others through his firefighting and emergency response services. Since the age of 16, he has been actively involved with both the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department and Padanaram Volunteer Fire Department. Last year alone he responded to more than 850 calls as part of fire or ambulance response teams. His efforts included providing CPR to a basketball player suffering from a heart attack, administering CPR and AED to a woman who had collapsed in a local parking lot, and providing compressions for a woman who lost consciousness from severe choking. Day after day, Joseph looks after those in his community, and has saved many lives.
Law Enforcement Joseph Sosnicki, Prospect	. For the past two years, Joseph Sosnicki has assisted in crisis situations as a full time 911 emergency response dispatcher. This past year he went beyond his usual job requirements when he received a call from a frightened nine year old girl. The young girl anxiously explained that her father was suffering from a seizure and she was the only person home with him.  Joe calmly provided the reassurance the girl needed to handle the situation, and stayed on the phone and helped her keep her dad safe until emergency responders arrived. His medical instructions, along with the encouragement and confidence he conveyed to the child, helped her handle a situation that even an adult would find terrifying.
Military Doris Ventres, Ridgefield	. Doris Ventres believes we should recognize the contributions of the men and women serving in our military while they are on active duty. Since 1968, she has put that belief into action by writing to every serviceperson from her hometown of Ridgefield. Each person receives a personal hand-written letter from Doris about once a month, and she continues to write even if she gets no response to her letter. Today her office is filled with letters and photographs received over the years from these individuals. Many have visited her home, often with other members of their family, to express their gratitude and thank her for caring about them so much. Doris personifies the idea of letting those serving our country know how grateful we are for their efforts.
Water Safety Amy Neth, New Fairfield	. In the midst of a family picnic last July, 13 year old Amy Neth witnessed her two-year old cousin falling into the deep end of her family's pool. She was the first and only one to see this happen, and instinctively went to rescue the child. Although the water was too deep for her to reach the bottom, she managed to keep the toddler afloat until an adult came to assist both of them. Amy’s brave and quick response to this emergency saved her cousin’s life.
Medical Professionals Sohel Islam, M.D., Bethel	. Dr. Islam has dedicated his life and professional career in plastic surgery to improving the lives of others. For the past nine years, Dr. Islam has traveled to Honduras with a group of volunteer medical professionals to provide desperately needed care.  He has treated birth defects such as cleft palates and extremity deformities; burn victims; and broken limbs that have healed improperly due to lack of medical attention. At his own cost, he has selflessly provided medical services to those in need who would not otherwise receive help.
Animal Rescue Michael Ammirata, Redding	. When fire engulfed the lower level of his family’s home, Michael Ammirata thought only about saving his parents and the Labrador retrievers his family breeds. After his mother escaped from the upstairs bedroom using a chain ladder, they managed to pull a crate containing eight six-week-old puppies out of the fire and smoke filled lower level. Mike then repeatedly climbed up and down the chain ladder, at this point the only means of escape from the burning building, and got his father and four of the older Labs out safely. Throughout this ordeal, Mike gave no thought to his own safety and the fire closing in around him. He focused only on his parents and the animals trapped in the house. They are alive today because of his quick actions and bravery.
Good Samaritan: Adult Ryan Scherb, West Redding	. Ryan Scherb, an EMT with the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department, was traveling with his mother on I-84 last November when a car suddenly crashed into the side of his car.  The driver was unconscious, her foot was jammed on the accelerator, and the spinning of the car’s wheels against the pavement was causing the tires to burn and generating heavy smoke that soon filled her car. After getting his mother to safety, Ryan ran to help the unconscious woman, at which point he discovered a small child trapped in the vehicle as well. Ryan kicked in the car window and revived the driver. He then cut the seatbelt of the child’s car seat and pulled the baby out.  Ryan’s quick actions and extreme courage saved their lives.
Good Samaritan: Youth Alesandria Battaglino, Prospect	On July 11, nine year old Alesandria Battaglino was home alone with her father when she noticed that he was exhibiting signs of a seizure. Alesandria knew something was not right and called 911. Though quite terrified, she maintained her composure enough to explain to the 911 dispatcher what was happening, her exact location, and her father’s medical history. Despite her fear, she remained on the phone with the dispatcher and calmly followed his instructions until a medical emergency response team arrived. The courage and maturity she displayed was remarkable, and not seen very often in a child of only nine.
Community Impact Rick Povilaitis & Brian Gibbons, Waterbury	. Brian Gibbons and Rick Povilaitis have put great efforts into providing sufficient shelter for homeless individuals and families of Waterbury. Last year, they were able to obtain supportive housing for about 15 people living along the banks of the Naugatuck River in an encampment know as “Tent City.”  Their tireless efforts to coordinate resources and their deep concern for others helped these people make a successful transition from homelessness. Rick and Brian are role models who have positively impacted their community.
Spirit of the Red Cross Andrew Armstrong, New Milford	. Andrew Armstrong joined the New Milford Ambulance Corps when he returned home from World War II in 1946. At the time it was the only emergency response team in the area, and there was no local police department. As New Milford’s need for services grew, Andy helped create the New Milford Police Department, and served on the police commission for ten years. In 1975 he was elected President of the New Milford Community Ambulance Corps, a position he still holds today. For more than sixty years he has made great contributions to this local institution, including recruiting volunteers, encouraging first aid training offered by the American Red Cross, and improving emergency services. Andy has dedicated his life to increasing the safety of his community, and personifies the mission of the American Red Cross - helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.