Stamford EMS and Stamford Paramedic Association Donation To Schools For Life-Saving Devices

In a presentation on November 22nd, the Stamford Paramedic Association Local R-1 684 and the Hands for Life organization donated $1,500 for Automated External Defibrillators for the Our Lady of Grace and Villa Divino Amore nursery schools.  Stamford EMS is donating the training to teach staff members of each school how to use the life-saving devices.  The presentation took place at Our Lady of Grace School.

“Stamford EMS and Stamford Paramedic Association are excited to be able to provide a life saving device to these schools,” said Pete Kessler, President of the Stamford Paramedic Association, Local R-1 684, a unit of IAEP.  “Stamford EMS has been protecting the community for 25 years, and Stamford Paramedic Association is happy to join them in this partnership.”

“We are excited that Stamford EMS and Stamford Paramedic Association has spearheaded this event,” said Dr. Thomas Nero, head of the Hands for Life effort and a Stamford EMS Board Member.  “Their commitment to our community is extraordinary and should be celebrated.”

“We’re proud to provide training at no cost to the schools to make sure their staff are properly prepared, God-forbid the need arises,” said Stamford EMS Assistant Chief Edward Browne.  “It’s very special to be able to do this for the community,” said Stamford EMT Robert Hackett.  “It’s all about keeping the children safe.”

Francine Manfredi, a volunteer at Our Lady of Grace, and a recent graduate of the EMT program presented by Stamford EMS, recognized the need for AEDs in the schools and made the donation request.

“In the EMT program I learned so much, and realized we didn’t have the AED equipment at the schools,” said Manfredi.  “It became my mission to fundraise for them, but we came up short.  That’s when I approached the organizations for a donation, and I’m blown away by the generosity; I have shivers.”

“This is why we do community-based classes,” said Kessler.  “There are things we can do for the community, and Francine reached out for our help.”

“I’m excited and grateful,” said Our Lady of Grace Mother Superior, Sister Gesuina.  “We appreciate everything.”

At Our Lady of Grace, the AED will be placed in the office, next to a cabinet containing students’ asthma medicine.  Currently eight children in the school have breathing issues.  A second AED will be purchased for Villa Divino Amore Nursery School.  Both schools are run by Catholic Sisters, Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts, and are unfunded by the city, diocese and the state.

James McEwan, a Stamford EMS paramedic and former graduate of Our Lady of Grace nursery school, attended the presentation.  “This is pretty special, I guess things have come full circle,” he said.

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Submitted by Darien, CT

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