'His Employees Are His Family': Novi Hero

NOVI, MI — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Christen of Novi, who nominated Damon Pietraz of Novi:

<b>Where the nominee lives:</b>
Novi

<b>Where the person who nominated the hero lives: </b>
Novi, MI

<b>Name of the nominee:</b>
Damon Pietraz

<b>Name of the person who nominated the hero: </b>
Christen

<b>Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:</b>
Yes

<b>What does the nominee do for work?:</b>
Fire Suppression Systems business owner

<b>Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?</b>
My husband has been working tirelessly during this pandemic to keep the doors open on his shop. I'm sure this is common, but the lengths he has gone to, to protect his team are incredible. He owns a fire suppression company who manufactures and services fire pumps for Metro Detroit. They service many of the local hospitals and manufacturing plants that are fighting COVID-19. There are nine service technicians who visit these buildings and two volunteered to stay in the field during the Stay At Home order. He offered those two to receive full time employment even if the workload didn't support it, as a token of appreciation for their sacrifice. The service work dried up weeks ago, as a result of most buildings being closed, but he's stuck to his word. The remaining technicians we're welcomed to join the in house team. Even if they're just pushing a broom, their hourly wages and benefits remain intact. There are many points during this process other businesses would have laid off or furloughed their employees but he keeps fighting to keep food on their tables. Above that, when an employee has asked to purchase PPE for personal use or one needed toilet paper for his family because they couldn't find any, he supplied it. He even purchases sandwich supplies, snacks, and beverages for the office to eat at lunch time to limit their daily exposure and keep them safe. Being the first line of defense behind first-responders like the fire department, you're often overlooked. But without fire suppression systems, these buildings wouldn't be safe so people on the front line could work and they deserve that recognition. Especially my husband who's generosity and care for his work family is unlike anything I've ever seen.

<b>What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?: </b>
Damon has the biggest heart when it comes to his team. His employees are his family, so while they're out there protecting others, he's finding ways to protect them.

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.