President Joe Biden Awards Medal Of Valor To 3 Stamford Firefighters

STAMFORD, CT — On Monday morning inside the East Room of The White House, three of Stamford's bravest were awarded the Medal of Valor by President Joe Biden. The award is given to public safety officers who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect others from harm.

Firefighters John Colandro, Michael Rosero and Chad Titus of the Stamford Fire Department were recognized for their heroic acts on Feb. 1, 2021, in which they rescued two people from a submerged pickup truck in icy waters during a blizzard near Cummings Park in Stamford.

Overall, 15 public safety officers were honored for their acts of bravery in eight different incidents during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 award cycles. The event was postponed the last few years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nine police officers and six firefighters received the award, which is the nation's highest for public safety and law enforcement officers.

"You were the ones to run into help when everyone else ran away, even before you became involved in firefighting or law enforcement," Biden said in his opening remarks before presenting the honorees with their medals.

"You're the heart and soul and the very spine of this country and your communities. Each one of you, from small town departments to big cities, you're cut from the same cloth," Biden added. "You possess a selflessness, a rare commitment to your neighbors and your fellow Americans, an unusual bravery that inspires everyone. And you've been singled out because of your extraordinary heroism."

Biden also thanked the families of the honorees.

"When your loved one puts on that shield and walks out the door each day, every family member dreads the possibility of receiving that phone call, knowing the uncertainty that faces you as they walk out the door," Biden said "Today, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you, the spouses, the children, of public safety officers."

On Feb. 1, 2021, during the height of a snowstorm, Stamford firefighters responded near Cummings Park on a report of a pickup truck that was submerged in icy waters in the Long Island Sound.

A woman standing in the back cargo area of the truck began yelling to rescuers about a man trapped inside the truck's submerged cab, fire officials said.

Colandro, Rosero and Titus, wearing cold-water suits, dove into the frigid water and swam up to the rapidly sinking truck, while one of the department's 100-foot tower ladder trucks was positioned as close to the water's edge as possible, fire officials said.

After rescuing the woman, the truck fully submerged, and facing strong offshore winds, the rescuers then broke a glass window while underwater and successfully pulled the man out to safety. The man was taken to Stamford Hospital for treatment, fire officials said.

The following video compilation of the rescue was posted to the Stamford Fire Department's YouTube page. (credit: Stamford Fire Department)

SFD Chief Trevor Roach was in attendance Monday for the ceremony to support his firefighters.

"These members are heroes among heroes who performed those rescues with determination, under treacherous conditions. Their actions have made the department extremely proud," Roach said.

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons echoed those sentiments.

"This is one of the highest honors to receive and our city celebrates their heroic actions and we are extremely proud that their actions were acknowledged by the President of the United States," she said in a news release Monday.

Stamford's Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare Ted Jankowski said the firefighters "demonstrated extraordinary acts of bravery and selfless courage."

"Their actions represent the greatest traits of the Stamford Fire Department - teamwork, ingenuity, and heroism - and shows the unwavering commitment of our brave men and women to selflessly protect the life and property of Stamford residents," he added.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4) were in attendance at Monday's medal ceremony, andtweeted photos with the hero firefighters inside the East Room.

Gov. Ned Lamont also tweeted about the firefighters.

"We are thankful to have heroes like you in CT," his tweet said in part.

Monday's honorees were nominated by public safety leaders across the country, according to U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, who spoke briefly before the ceremony.

The Medal of Valor Board then recommended each honoree to Garland for recognition.

"The public safety officers we honor today are true heroes. They put themselves in the line of fire to protect their communities and their fellow officers. They demonstrated to all of us, and to our country, what true courage looks like. And they did this not for public recognition, but because they are true public servants," Garland said.

"To our honorees and their loved ones, and to the dedicated public safety officers all across the country who go to great lengths every day for the American people, we say thank you. Thank you for your heart. Thank you for your determination."

Read more about all of Monday's honorees.

This story contains previous reporting from Patch Editor RJ Scofield