Paloian Receives Award Of Merit

SHVFR Lieutenant Archie Paloian was presented an award of merit by the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, September 21 at West Haven High School.

Paloian received the Citation For Meritorious Service in recognition of “rendering a service beyond the ordinary course of duty.” On July 14, Paloian was the first to arrive at a home on Alpine Drive, where an elderly woman was unable to get out on her own while a fire burned around her. Paloian got the woman out of the home, and then returned with a fire extinguisher and knocked down the worst of the fire.

The woman was then transported to the burn unit at Bridgeport Hospital. Local officials learned later in the day she had succumbed to her wounds.

Members of Sandy Hook VFR joined Paloian in attending the state convention business meeting. SHVFR Chief Anthony Capozziello presented the award to Paloian.

Awards of Merit were also presented to a group of West Haven firefighters and police officers who helped save twin toddlers from being drowned by their father in February, and Orange Volunteer Fire Department Chaplain and Firefighter Tom Bartiss, who with another bystander performed CPR on a boy who had collapsed near a pool while Bartiss was vacationing in Cancun earlier this year.

EMS Captain and Treasurer Karin Halstead was re-elected CSFA Second Vice President during the same meeting.

SHVFR Lieutenant Archie Paloian holds his Award of Merit following the Connecticut State Firefighters Association business meeting on September 21. Joining him, from left, is Assistant Treasurer John Jeltema, First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan, President Bradley Richardson, Chief Anthony Capozziello, and Karin Halstead.