NORWICH- On Tuesday March 31, the City of Norwich Fire Department awarded certificates of commendations and appreciations to first responders who administered lifesaving care on two separate occasions that led to positive outcomes.

This included recognizing City of Norwich Police officers who worked collaboratively with the fire department. Norwich Fire Chief Gerald Parry Jr. presented the awards and recognitions.

“Far too often we are called upon to witness or be a part of tragedy. Tragedy affects the lives of the citizens we serve and it also affects the personnel, but today, I am honored to speak to everybody here in regards to a couple of victories in which our personnel have had. Today we recognize two separate moments in time that could have ended up in unimaginable sorrow, but instead resulted in the lives being saved. CPR training is not just a skill, but it is a powerful tool that saves lives when every second counts,” said Chief Parry at the start of the reception.

On Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025, at around 2 a.m. the Norwich Fire Department responded to a call about an unresponsive 28 year old male on Marconi Ave.

The purple shift duty crew was on the scene within two minutes. The patient's wife had called 911 after hearing him gasp before going unresponsive, and started doing CPR on her own, she said to the crew, “...and when you guys came up the stairs, I felt a relief that it was no longer on my plate and handed it over to you guys who did an incredible job, and thats from the bottom of my heart. You saved my family, you saved my life, and I thank you so much.”

The purple shift crew all received Certificates of Commendation, signed by both the chief and the mayor, for the lifesaving measures they took on that day. The recipients were Captain William Ballin, Firefighter Blake Parry, Firefighter Tanner Campbell, and Firefighter Evan Grainger.

Upon arriving to the scene the 28-year-old male patient had gone into sudden cardiac arrest, as a result of the firefighter's quick response he was revived and able to be present at the award reception along with his wife and young son.

The second lifesaving event that received recognition took place more recently on Feb 27, 2026 at around 5 p.m. The Norwich Fire Department was dispatched to East Main St for a report of a 63 year old male on the ground outside in cardiac arrest.

The green shift duty crew was on the scene within one minute, the firefighters immediately initiated CPR, defibrillation, along with continued Advanced Life Support treatment and lifesaving measures with the assistance of an off-duty volunteer firefighter who was also on the scene. Their efforts to revive the patient were successful, and he was happy to see the responders again at the award reception with his wife. The patient's wife said, “Without you guys he wouldn't be here, and thank you for what you do for everybody.”

The Certificate of Commendation recipients for this lifesaving event were Captain Robert Boellmann, Firefighter Daniel Kerila, Firefighter Eric Olsen, Firefighter Jon Manwarren, and Firefighter James Fowlston in recognition of their exceptional performance during a medical emergency.

“These incidents are powerful testaments to the skill, dedication, and immediate reaction of our firefighters. Because these firefighters do not hesitate, and strive for victory every time, members of our community have been given a second chance at life. This is precisely what we train for, and I am incredibly proud of their actions,” Parry stated.

City of Norwich Police Department personnel were also honored for their assistance during these events and for their continued support of the fire department. Sergeant Tristan Rifanburg, Patrolmen Torin Lawrence, and Patrolmen Tyler King received Certificates of Appreciation from the City of Norwich Fire Department and Fire Chief Parry. These officers provided on the scene assistance that led to the lifesaving outcomes above. The police chief and assistant chief attended the reception and accepted the awards on their behalves.

“The city of Norwich is represented by the Norwich Fire Department and the Norwich Police Department on a daily basis in the public safety world. We work a lot of long hours, but when the crews come together and the performance levels are above the standard, it's what it's all about for each agency working together,” said Fire Chief Parry at the reception. In the press release he made the statement, “Inter-agency efforts between the Fire and Police Department occur daily, when every second counts to achieve positive outcomes. We appreciate the Police department and personnel.”

Fire Chief Parry initiated these awards to personally acknowledge the efforts of first responder personnel who were able, ready, and prepared to save lives achieving just that in these instances.

“The reason that I'd like to bring this to you and the community, is the fact that we do have these positives. Far too often our crews and our personnel face the negatives. They face the unwanted circumstances and end results. And they work their tail off daily to create and have a positive outcome on the end,” said Parry.

He spoke on the importance of early CPR intervention in the case of cardiac arrest, saying, “When the victims collapse, when the heart stops beating, and they stop breathing, that's when the clock starts. Without early interventions, CPR, with every minute that passes, a victim's chance of survival drops by 10%. This is a testament to early CPR in which saves lives. The quick thinking, the life-saving treatments, the teamwork, and the compassion show the true meaning of being professional by the employees of the Norwich Fire Department and the police department. The kind of professionalism that is exemplified every day by the members of both the Norwich Fire Department and the police department,” said Parry.

The first responders at the fire department continue to put their CPR training to use with another CPR save occurring in the morning of the award reception.

Addressing the personnel in the room, Chief Parry said, “You continue to set examples of greatness to our community every day. You folks is what makes me and the two police chiefs in the back of the room shine. It's not us, it's everybody else here that does the work for us. You make things shine. And as those that do not know, today was one of those days of the continuation of the positive. Another CPR save occurred this morning by the duty crew that's working here today. So they continue, continue with those positive outcomes.”

The City of Norwich Fire Department urges all citizens to learn CPR and AED use, as immediate bystander action is the most critical factor in surviving sudden cardiac arrest.

If you're interested in learning CPR and first aid consider exploring classes by the American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/lp/cpr-first-aid-aed-certification-new-hero