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Honoring Our First Responder Heroes

by Michael Dalby
President & CEO, Greater Naples Chamber

t the Greater Naples Chamber, we’re privileged each year Efforts to slow the spread of
to recognize our community’s first responders during the COVID-19 account for just a
A Distinguished Public Service Awards. fraction of what our community’s first responders have done to
Established in 2003, this event recognizes Collier County fire keep us safe. They have responded to hundreds upon hundreds of
safety, emergency services and law enforcement personnel for their calls, demonstrating countless acts of bravery.
contributions to the well-being of the community. One of those acts of heroism was performed by Naples Fire
For nearly two years now, first responders have not only worked Marshal Corey Adamski, the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished
to keep us safe, but also healthy. From distributing personal Public Service Award for fire safety. Last year, Adamski responded
protection equipment to administering vaccines, first responders to a brush fire at 36th Ave. SE and Everglades Blvd. When a 911
were on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. call came in to dispatch that an elderly couple was trapped in their
The Greater Naples Chamber, in consultation with the home, Adamski located the house, dashed by the flames on the
Distinguished Public Service Awards selection committee, was front porch, forced the front door open and assisted the couple out
pleased to honor the Collier County EMS Training Division in of the house.
the emergency medical services category. Led by Deputy Chief Collier County Cpl. Pierre Jean, Cpl. David Donzanti and
Noemi Garcia, the team of Cpt. Matt Allen, Cpt. Kori Louro, Det. James Kleinheinz were also honored for heroism. When Jean
Cpt. Anthony Maro, Cpt. Tom Ouilette and Cpt. Art Wolf was arrived at a report of a tractor overturned in the water, he saw
integral to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines throughout the the operator was submerged in the lake, seat-belted to the tractor
community. and pinned beneath the weight of the machine. Jean entered the
Acting as an extension of the Department of Health in Collier water and, with the help of two Good Samaritans, extricated
County, the team coordinated 70 vaccination clinics, delivering the operator and pulled him to shore. Jean, assisted by Donzanti
more than 18,000 vaccines between January and May. and Kleinheinz, performed life-saving procedures until the man
The Chamber was also honored to present Mike Shaw, the regained breathing
operations and homeland security coordinator for Collier’s Bureau These men and women are examples of the important role
of Emergency Services and Emergency Management, with an first responders play in our community, and we are grateful for
award in the emergency management category. Shaw played everything they do to make Collier County the safest place in
a significant role in distributing 1.3 million pieces of personal America to live, work and play.
protective equipment to hospitals, nursing homes and first
responders.

Members of the Collier County EMS Training Division celebrate after Reg Buxton, Scott O’Dell, Fire Marshall Corey Adamski and Pat O’Connor
being awarded with the 2021 Distinguished Public Service Award for at the 2021 Distinguished Public Service Awards. Adamski was awarded
emergency medical services during the annual awards ceremony. the Distinguished Public Service Award in the fire safety category.

42 42 Life in Naples | December 2021