Breakfast Event
On Thursday, March 4, 2010, the Northern & Eastern Connecticut 2010 Heroes were honored at the Heroes breakfast event held at The Farmington Marriott in Farmington. Congratulations to these remarkable community heroes.

Emcee: Yvonne Nava, Morning Co-Anchor, NBC Connecticut

Click for Video Highlights

Sponsors
Statewide Sponsors:
Webster Bank
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Presenting Sponsors:
Connecticut Light & Power Company
Yankee Gas
Sponsors:
Alstom Power, Inc.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
BlumShapiro
Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc.
Pratt & Whitney
The Reach Foundation
Travelers

 Our 2010 Heroes of Northern & Eastern Connecticut

Firefighter Capt. Donald Ellis, Jr., Enfield Christopher Ellis, Enfield Lt. Brian Ellis, Enfield Bryan Ayers, Enfield	This Enfield Fire Department Special Operations Team is being recognized for saving a woman from the icy waters of the Connecticut River last March after her vehicle plunged into the river and rapidly floated downstream in a strong current with the woman trapped inside. The vehicle became hung up on debris, which allowed the team to reach the woman and rescue her.
Law Enforcement TFC Eric Basak, Tolland TPR John Barrows, Tolland TPR Scott McCarthy, Tolland	While responding to an activated alarm at Tolland Middle School at 1:20 AM on December 18th, TFC Basak noticed smoke coming from a nearby residential neighborhood. The officers quickly responded to a home with flames emerging from the rear of the building. They were able to awaken the sleeping family and safely evacuate the family of four and their dog to safety as the fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The troopers are being recognized for their swift actions in saving this family.
Military First Sgt. Henry J. Raymond, Jr., Terryville	. Henry is being honored for his outstanding service to veterans and military service personnel and their families. He brings veterans to medical appointments, helps families of deceased military personnel apply for entitled benefits, and organizes tributes that recognize service members’ contributions. The Bristol American Legion Honor Guard, which Henry founded, has provided military honors at more than 1100 funerals. Partnering with the U.S. Army, Henry has been instrumental in nominating and presenting more than 18,000 Freedom Team Salute Awards.
Medical Professionals Fayne Sears, RN, Columbia Peggy Stickel, RN, Columbia (School Nurses)	. Peggy and Fayne are being honored for their swift actions during an emergency situation and for sustaining the life of a patient. On June 16, a former Columbia First Selectwoman and beloved resident was giving a presentation in the Horace W. Porter School library when she suddenly experienced difficulty breathing. The AED team was called. Peggy, first to arrive, found the patient unresponsive and began CPR while Fayne ran to get the AED. They continued resuscitative efforts until paramedics arrived. Sadly the patient died two days later, but due to the nurse’s actions, family members were able to say good-bye.
Animal Rescue Unique, Manchester Owned by William Podolny	. A Fidelco-trained German Shepard named Unique is credited with guiding her owner, Bill Podolny, from their burning home. During a violent storm last July, lightning struck the garage roof and traveled down the house hitting the electrical panel and a propane line. As the lights went out and an alarm sounded, Unique came to his owner’s aid. Initially unaware of what had happened, they went to investigate. As they neared the rear of the house, Mr. Podolny smelled smoke. Unique then guided his owner to the front foyer where firefighters found them and escorted them to safety.
Good Samaritan Adult Michael Lawton, Bozrah	. Michael is credited with saving the life of Jeff Casey, who lost control of a tanker truck filled with 6,500 gallons of gas on I-395N April 3, 2009.  Michael, who was driving southbound, saw the entire accident unfold. He immediately pulled over and ran to the aid of the victim. With gas and diesel pouring from the vehicle, Michael jumped up on the crumpled median adjacent to the smashed cab. Through a knocked out window, he unfastened Jeff’s seat belt, grabbed him under the arms and pulled him through the cab window. Meanwhile EMTs had pulled alongside and assisted with getting the injured driver safely away from the scene
Good Samaritan Team Stephen Palmer, Niantic Kevin Temple, Thomaston (NU linemen)	. Driving in rainy conditions on I-91S in Cromwell last September, Kevin and Steve witnessed a tractor trailer skidding across four lanes of traffic. It swung back, hitting an SUV and ripping off the door of the vehicle. The driver of the SUV was thrown 30 feet, landing face down in the mud. Kevin and Steve ran to the victim and found her initially unconscious and having difficulty breathing. They immediately cleared her airway of mud, established a pulse, stabilized her neck, and called 911. Kevin and Steve kept the semi-conscious woman calm and out of the rain until medical professionals arrived. They are being recognized for using their first aid training in an emergency situation to stabilize a victim.
Good Samaritan Youth Geoff Miner, Suffield	. Geoff is being honored for an Eagle Scout project that resulted in saving the life of a Suffield woman. Two years ago, Geoff applied for a grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving so he could purchase new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the town. With $18,000 in grant money, 12 defibrillators were purchased and distributed to schools, Town Hall and offices, Police Department, Fire Department, the library and the senior center. On February 12, a week after the AEDs were delivered, EMTs responded to a call and used one of the AEDs to successfully revive a woman who had collapsed and was unresponsive. Today survivor, Denise Johnson, is eternally grateful to Geoff for his deeds.
Community Impact Marie & Bill Groves, East Windsor	Marie and Bill are being recognized for their community service to their town of East Windsor. They are dedicated volunteers at the Five Corner Cupboard, the town’s only food pantry located at the First Congregational Church of East Windsor. In addition to stocking shelves and distributing food to clients twice a week, they have organized the storage areas in the basement.   Marie and Bill developed an inventory system so those working at the pantry will know what’s in stock and what needs to be replenished. They help transport purchased items to the pantry when donations are low and assist with town wide food drives. At the holidays, they help set up baskets that are distributed to the needy.
Spirit of the Red Cross John W. Walton, Glastonbury	. Following retirement, John has dedicated his time to make his community safer and better prepared in the event of a disaster. As Glastonbury’s Deputy Director of the Emergency Management, John planned, designed and implemented a state-of the-art emergency response and communication system and procured the grant funding for the project. He has trained and certified many residents interested in becoming members of the Emergency Management Team. John has trained local Boy Scout Troops to use radio telecommunications systems to assist in any health and safety incidents that may occur during community events. His actions exemplify Red Cross humanitarian spirit and commitment to preparedness and response.