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Fire Fighter/Good Samaritan, Adult
Duffy Sasser, Sr.
Fire Fighter Michael Sasser
New Canaan
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Off duty New Canaan Fire fighter Michael Sasser and his dad Duffy saw an accident across the median on the Merritt Parkway in February of 2009. They exited their car, ran across the median and cut the man from the car as he hung upside down. They saved him from the burning vehicle just minutes before it was totally consumed by flames and an explosion. |
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Law Enforcement
Officer David Vetare
Officer John Taranto
Norwalk
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October 1, 2009 Norwalk Police Marine Patrol Officers Vetare and Taranto were called out to respond to a report of a suicidal man operating his motor boat somewhere in the waters off the shore of Norwalk. After an extensive nighttime search they located the vessel traveling at approximately 30 mph. the driver refused to respond. Officer Taranto expertly maneuvered the police boat along side the man's boat and Officer Vetare leapt aboard the runaway vessel, seized the controls and brought the boat to a stop just before it would have run ashore.
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Law Enforcement/Good Samaritan, Adult
CT State Trooper Walter Oliveira
Gusztav Kovasznai
Bridgeport
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On December 12, 2009 Trooper Walter Oliveira responded to a two car accident on Route 95 near exit 41. A car traveling 70 MPH in the median, despite the traffic, struck Trooper Oliveira’s car which in turn struck him, sending him 15 feet in the air over a car, where he landed against another car, which was then struck and subsequently struck Trooper Oliveira again, dislocating his shoulder and hurting his back. The woman driving the speeding car was trapped in her car, which began burning. The Trooper, despite his injuries, and Mr. Kovasznai pulled her from the car just before it went up in flames.
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Military
Margaret S. Sanborn
Weston
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Meg’s family became involved supporting soldiers through the adoption of a platoon deployed to Iraq in 2005. During the platoon's deployment, Meg pursued a number of activities supporting the soldiers and their families. These included organizing a drive with her high school soccer team to collect approximately 150 soccer balls to send to the deloyed platoon and numerous drives to collect and mail packages and letters to soldiers stationed in Iraq and to the families on the base in Germany. The Dagger Brigade was re- flagged as the 172nd Blackhawk Brigade and began its third deployment to Iraq in November 2008. Meg was determined to continue her efforts in support of the soldiers. In 2009 Meg co-founded the Support the Troops Club at Weston High School. The club ran a drive at the Weston Memorial Day Fair and collected items to be sent to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Meg arranged to volunteer at the Army Post in Grafenwoehr, Germany from which the Blackhawk Brigade was deployed. Arriving on July 9, 2009, Meg volunteered at the School-Age Services Center working with the children of deployed soldiers from the Post. During this school year, Meg also helped her father collect supplies and pack and send them to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Water Safety
Joseph Quinn
Kevin Hackett
Mat Lori
Stamford
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The Hackett and Lori families were at the Quinns' house for a Memorial Day weekend pool party. After dinner the kids went back in the pool. Kieran Hackett fell into the pool (his dad didn’t see him go in) before his dad had a chance to put his life jacket on. Mat Lori said “is Kiernan kidding?” as he saw him face down at the bottom of the pool – all three men jumped in the pool. Kieran was on the floor of the pool for between one and three minutes. They administered CPR, abdominal thrusts and back blows to Kieran, who was purple from his mid torso to the top of his head. After four to six minutes, Kieran vomited and began to breathe and respond. After an ambulance trip to Stamford Hospital and a LIFESTAR trip to Yale/New Haven Hospital, all tests showed normal results.
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Water Safety
Gordon Kempler
Cooper Whiteside
Westport
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Lifeguard Whiteside was in his lifeguard chair at Burying Hill Beach in Westport when he saw an unconscious man floating on his back. Lifeguard Kempler called for help and grabbed the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Whiteside removed the victim from the water, gave chest compressions and gave him rescue breaths, which caused him to vomit. The lifeguards found a weak pulse and the man began to breathe – they moved the victim to recovery position and breathing stopped – they performed more rescue breaths until they were relieved by Westport Police.
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Medical Professional
Thomas Nero, M. D.
Stamford
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Dr. Nero is a Stamford Cardiologist who was convinced that cardiac patients who had “Bystander CPR” performed before emergency medical personnel arrive have a greater chance of survival. His research proved him right. He partnered with several agencies to start Hands for Life, teaching people person-to-person hands-only CPR. He also raises funds for purchase of AEDs and provides staff training for their use.
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Good Samaritan, Adult
Mattia Mikan
Stratford
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When Alex Convertito was critically injured in a crash on Route 8, Mattia leapt from her car and stayed by his side until help arrived –not allowing anyone move Alex for fear they would do him further injury. Mattia, deaf, with difficulty communicating - and six months pregnant kept people away from Alex, who had a severed spine.
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Good Samaritan, Youth
Thomas Stasko
Fairfield
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Eight year old Thomas Stasco of Fairfield was walking along the shore of Lake Mohegan with his two year old brother, his mother and his dog, Buster. Buster went into the water. When Thomas realized Buster was unable to swim, he went in after his 90 pound Boxer. He successfully pushed the dog to shore. All were scared but safe. |
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Community Impact
Jerry Vigorito
Rob Fried
Fairfield
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Rob Fried and Jerry Vigorito are the organizers of Band Together, bringing musicians together for three years to raise over $400,000 for local charities, including the American Red Cross. Rob and Jerry have attracted an expert group of musicians and support personnel to sponsor concerts for various causes – two in the first year, now nine or 10 each year. They have been recognized by the Connecticut State Assembly and Governor Rell and have been awarded the Citation of Honor from the U.S. Congress. |
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Community Impact
Townsend Rawlins
Wilton
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“T.G.” Rawlins is the Director of Operations of the Wilton Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). He has dedicated hundreds of hours acquiring grant money, coordinating internal functions and delivery of preparedness training and response to assist Wilton Fire and Police emergency personnel. Through his efforts the Wilton CERT team has grown to over 60 active members – growing 30% in one year. His contribution to town preparedness and operational plans for mass vaccinations clinics and actual mass vaccination for the H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009 is unsurpassed. |
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Spirit of the American Red Cross
Brian Casey
Luann Conine
Noemie Da Cruz Dos Santos
Mallory Finch
Christopher Hamilton
Alexander Hauer
Melissa Christine Osanitsch
Jaclyn Testani
Bridgeport
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Two men fishing on the Seaside Park Breakwater tried to swim back to shore when the tide prevented them from walking. The strong current began to carry them away when seven lifeguards and Recreation Department Superintendent and EMT Luann Conine drove over to the park (after being called) in three cars from the beach which had just been closed due to bad weather. The lifeguards saved the older gentleman and others who had tried to rescue the two fishermen. They dove deep, repeatedly, in an attempt to save the younger man who they had seen go under until they were ordered in.
Photo (L. to R.): Noemie Da Cruz Dos Santos, Luann Conine (Recreation Department Superintendent and EMT), Christopher Hamilton, Mallory Finch, Alexander Hauer, Jaclyn Testani, Melissa Christine Osanitsch, Brian Casey
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