Fire Fighter of the Year & Annual Awards Ceremony
Jarrad Smith is Fire Fighter of the Year. He was nominated by Battalion Chief Matt Stuart and selected by his peers for his role in a valiant rescue of a resident that got his arm stuck while cleaning his furnace.
Fire Fighter Smith joined the Department in 2008. Battalion Chief Stuart was impressed with seeing someone as young as Smith and with so little time on the job to do such an outstanding job at that incident.
Fire Fighter Smith was honored by the American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post No. 96 in February and by the West Hartford Exchange Club earlier in April.
The following Fire Fighters received Unit Citations for AED (Automatic External Defibrillators) saves:
Lt. William Kall, AO Robert Michalak, Fire Fighters Robert Howe and Benjamin Coker for a save on January 26, 2010;
Lt. William Kall, AO Christopher Pettinelli, Fire Fighters Robert Howe and Benjamin Coker for a save on September 16, 2010;
Captain Gerald Leblanc, AO Louie Grinfeld, Fire Fighters Jarrad Smith and Benjamin Coker for a save on November 9, 2010.
Apparatus Operator Robert Michalak received the Gene T. Hoffman Driver of the Year award given in memory of a driver who died from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. AO Michalak embodied those same traits as Driver Hoffman -- being professional, diligent in his duties, highly competent in his performance and a role model to others.
Citizen Awards were presented to Sam Allison, West Hartford; Dan Stowe, South Windsor; and Carter Hatton of Farmington -- members of the lifeguard staff at Cornerstone Aquatics Center. Because of their training, quick assessment and subsequent actions in administering shocks with the AED and performing CPR, they along with West Hartford Fire Fighters, Police and paramedics, helped to save the life of Mr. Eugene Leach, a West Hartford resident working out at the pool.
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| Assistant Chief Gary Allyn, Fire Fighter of the Year Jarrad Smith, Battalion Chief Michael Yacovino |
Assistant Chief Gary Allyn, Driver of the Year Robert Michalak, Battalion Chief Michael Yacovino |
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