Heroes Who Serve: 5 First Responders Keeping Connecticut Safe

Connecticut is home to dedicated first responders who go above and beyond to keep their communities safe. That?s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight EMTs, firefighters and police officers who are making a difference every day.

Check out five outstanding Connecticut first responders who are making an impact. And if you know a hero who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate a first responder for a chance to be featured in our Heroes Who Serve series on Patch!

Raquel Soto (West Hartford) ? Soto, a Newington resident and paramedic for American Medical Response in Hartford, has been nationally recognized for her heroic efforts. While responding to a call in August 2024, Soto climbed eight stories of a parking garage to speak with a man contemplating suicide. Drawing from her training and personal experiences, she engaged in a 30-minute conversation that convinced him to step away from the edge. For her dedication and quick thinking, Soto was named one of Global Medical Response's "Stars of Life" and honored in Washington, D.C., that November. Read more here.

Officer Thomas Northup (New London) ? Officer Northup of the New London Police Department is being praised for his life-saving intervention while off duty and out of state. While driving on Route 138 in Rhode Island in November 2024, he noticed a distressed mother pulled over on the roadside. Her 18-month-old daughter was in medical distress, appearing pale and struggling to breathe. Northup quickly administered rescue breaths and, realizing the child was having a seizure, provided necessary medication until emergency responders arrived. His swift actions earned commendation from the department, highlighting his commitment to public safety in and outside his community. Read more here.

Sergeant Jason Lyman (Greenwich) ? Greenwich Police Officer Sgt. Lyman was recognized for his extraordinary efforts in saving a Riverside resident?s life. After finishing his shift on October 15, 2023, Lyman responded to a frantic 911 call and found a man unresponsive at home. Lyman immediately began CPR and directed emergency procedures until help arrived, ultimately saving the man?s life after his sudden cardiac arrest. Lyman was later honored at a ceremony in the city, honored with an official proclamation and an award from the Silver Shield Association. Read more here.

Sergeant Ashley Harkins (Middletown) ? Sgt. Harkins, a Westbrook resident and Connecticut State Police Officer, was awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal for Heroism after saving a suicidal woman?s life. In November 2023, while off duty, Harkins encountered the woman on a narrow ledge of the Baldwin Bridge in Old Lyme. She then scaled a fence without equipment and used her body to prevent her from falling; then, with help from Sgt. Matthew Belz, she successfully brought the woman to safety. Read more here.

Tara Slovinski (Ridgefield) ? Slovinski, a recent high school graduate and an EMT with the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, has not only provided emergency medical care to those in her community ? she?s now empowering others to do the same. After teaching nearly 100 students CPR and AED use at her school, Slovinski recently launched Hands-On Ridgefield, a free initiative in partnership with the Ridgefield Fire Department, aimed at equipping local residents with the skills to save lives. Her efforts are helping build a community where bystanders are trained and ready to act in emergency situations, potentially making a life-saving difference when it matters most. Read more here.

We?re fortunate in Connecticut to have first responders like these working tirelessly to keep us safe. If you know a local hero who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch!