Saint Mary’s held its 5th Annual First Responders event in recognition of the dedication and hard work that first responders do every day. Police, firefighters, EMS and 9-1-1 call center colleagues from in and around Greater Waterbury stopped by to enjoy the festivities on Friday, October 27. The effort underscores the important relationship between the area’s first responders and the work of the emergency department to care for those in the community.
A short program featured the Holy Cross High School choir, as well as remarks from Lt. Ryan Bessette, of the Waterbury Police Department, Kim Kalajainen, President of Saint Mary’s Hospital, Wesley Kyle, M.D., Emergency Department physician and Director of Emergency Medical Services at Saint Mary’s Hospital and a closing reflection was offered by a young student of the Yeshiva K’tana.
Held in the St. Regis lot on Saint Mary’s campus, first responders gathered to enjoy fresh brick oven cooked pizza, salad and gelato provided by La Tavola pizza truck. First responders were also given a token of appreciation from Saint Mary’s.
In 2017, the United States Congress designated October 28th as National First Responders Day. The resolution honors the firefighters, police officers, EMTs and all those who are first on the scene in stressful situations.