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| Michelle Carilli won the 2010 Junior Firefighter of the Year Award for her exemplary service |
Carilli received the award during a special ceremony at the NVFC Spring Board Meeting in Alexandria, VA, on April 30, only a few days before her 18th birthday.
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Tyco International bestowed the 2010 Junior Firefighter of the Year Award to Michelle Alyssa Carilli, a Junior Firefighter Captain at the Coventry (CT) Volunteer Fire Association. Through her leadership, commitment, and innovation, Michelle is a truly exemplary junior firefighter.
Carilli received the award during a special ceremony at the NVFC Spring Board Meeting in Alexandria, VA, on April 30, only a few days before her 18th birthday. While in the D.C. area, Carilli also participated in a special opportunity to spend a day on Capitol Hill to meet with her Congressional representative, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT). Courtney previously recognized Carilli for her achievement in receiving the NVFC Junior Firefighter of the Year Award in the House of Representatives on April 13.
“Madam Speaker, public safety in our communities is dependent on outstanding volunteers like Michelle Carilli,” Courtney said during his remarks to the House. “Her selfless service to her town, her department, and her school makes her truly deserving of the distinction of Junior Firefighter of the Year. I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in recognizing Michelle's contributions and celebrating her award.”
A junior firefighter for almost four years, Michelle has gone above and beyond in her efforts to serve her department and her community. As a high school freshman, she worked with the principal to implement CPR training at her school. Today, over 200 students are CPR certified and Michelle is now working with Emergency Medical Instructors to offer First Responder Certification Classes at the school.
A junior firefighter for almost four years, Michelle has gone above and beyond in her efforts to serve her department and her community |
She was also instrumental in increasing the number of junior firefighters in her department. In 2008, she developed a plan to recruit new junior firefighters, which included inviting high school students to attend training. This hands-on approach for prospective members contributed to tripling the size of the junior firefighter program. In addition, many of the parents of the new junior firefighters ended up joining the department as firefighters and EMTs.
When the Coventry Police Department was seeking help sponsoring the Connecticut Special Olympics’ First Annual Penguin Plunge fundraiser, Michelle organized a boot drive with the junior firefighter program. Over $1,800 was raised, earning Coventry Volunteer Fire Department the “Arctic Hero Award” for their contribution.
In 2009, Michelle became the first junior firefighter selected as the Emergency Medical Service Provider of the Year by the Coventry Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to her efforts as a junior firefighter, Michelle is an honor roll student, varsity volleyball player, teacher’s aid, and sports section editor of her school yearbook. She has been accepted at University of Connecticut where she plans to further her medical training.
“Michelle Carilli is a truly exemplary member of the fire service and of her community,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “She has achieved so much at such a young age and has shown extraordinary commitment to her junior firefighter program and to helping others. It is with great honor that we recognize her accomplishments and look forward to her future as a leader in the emergency services field.”
