PROVIDENCE, RI -- Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis will honor nine Rhode Islanders with 2011 State Lifesaving Medals at a State House ceremony this Thursday at 2 p.m.
State law created the Lifesaving Medal to recognize the heroism of firefighters, police officers and civilians who save human life in Rhode Island. The medal is awarded annually.
West Warwick Fire Lt. Paul McAllister and Police Officer Stephen Blais risked their lives to rescue an 8-year-old boy who had fallen through the ice into the frigid water of Remington Pond in March.
Sgt. Christopher Anderson, Staff Sgt. Zachary Davis, First Sgt. Jackie Hazley, Chief Warrant Officer Gerald Sciamacco and Staff Sgt. Christopher Ventura of the National Guard and civilians Leah Kasper and George Truman collaborated to save the life of Joseph Mercurio, a civilian Guard employee.
Mercurio collapsed after his heart had stopped beating while working at the Guard's Command Readiness Center in February. Kasper and Ventura administered CPR until Anderson grabbed an automatic external defibrillator and helped Kasper applied two jolts to Mercurio’s chest.
Secretary of State Mollis is committed to making it easier for Rhode Islanders to vote, making it easier to do business in Rhode Island and making government more open and accessible. For more information about the programs and services the Secretary of State offers Rhode Islanders, visit sos.ri.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Barnett at 222-4293 or cbarnett@sos.ri.gov.
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