Sgt. Donna Malloy congratulates Officer Michael Wandrei.
ADAMS, Mass. — The town recognized Officers Michael Wandrei and Joshua Baker who helped deliver a baby in March.
Town officials held a small ceremony Monday at Town Hall to recognize the officers who helped resident Jayme Pulasky give birth to her daughter, Calla.
"We want to raise our department up because it only raises our town up. When you have a valuable asset like this and they do something like this you need to put it out there and let everybody know," Police Chief Scott Kelley said. "I know because they are humble they won't say it, but I know they are proud of what they did. This is a great thing to be part of something like this. They do it every single day. I am proud to be their chief."
Kelley said both officers responded to the Hoosac Street medical call on March 11 at 8:55 p.m. He said the officers found that Pulasky was actively in labor.
"They were first on scene and found she was indeed in labor," he said.
He said Wandrei stayed with Pulasky while Baker cleared the way for an incoming ambulance and other emergency services.
"Officer Wandrei was a calming presence assisting in any way he could with the delivery of the child as being the only emergency service person there at the time," Kelley said. "Baker then started taking measures to ensure that all parties made it safely from the house to the waiting ambulance. This included chipping ice, shoveling snow, removing debris to make it safe."
He said baby Calla was born healthy at 9:08 p.m., 13 minutes after the officers were dispatched.
"Both officers assisted in moving mom and child from the residence," he said.
Sgt. Donna Malloy, who organized the ceremony and brought the case to Kelley, gave each officer a "Stork Award" certificate and a pin.
Kelley, originally from South Carolina, said he has been impressed since he came on the job in January by Adams' officers and their commitment to the community.
"Since my arrival, I have seen these police officers go above and beyond in the community every single day," Kelley said. "That tells me that the officers in this department love this community, and we will continue to celebrate occasions like this."
Town Administrator Jay Green agreed and said it is important for the public to see that every single officer is a member of the community and cares for it
"It is important for a smaller community like ours to let people see and appreciate when they see the black-and-white or an officer in uniform," he said. "It doesn't mean that behind that uniform, behind that tactical vest and the tools of the job that there isn't someone that cares about the public and cares about the person in front of them."
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Regional Trail Coordinator Barnes Retires After Four Decades With DCR
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires.com Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Department of Conservation and Recreation celebrated the retirement of Trails Supervisor Rebecca Barnes after four decades of service.
Friends and colleagues gathered in the Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center and park offices on Wednesday to celebrate Barnes.
She began working at Mount Greylock State Reservation while in high school as a seasonal conservation helper, saying she fell in love with the place.
"Fell in love with Mount Greylock, and ever since I've been doing different jobs and different positions," said the Hoosac Valley graduate. "But I came full circle back to Mount Greylock at the end of the career, and I've been taking care of the forest and parks for 40 years now, and loving it, the trails, the campgrounds, the summit, the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail."
Priscilla Geigis, deputy commissioner for conservation and resource stewardship, wrote a song the group sang for Barnes, who she said has inspired her during the more than 20 years they've worked together.
"Becky is so enthusiastic. She's so kind. She's funny. She's creative. She's really passionate and she's really dedicated. And I will miss all of those qualities," said Geigis. "She really knows how to balance conservation and recreation. She is so committed to connecting people to our incredible resources, not just here at her beloved Greylock, but also throughout the state to really make that connection and to pass on that idea that everyone has a role to play in stewardship.
"And you can see that time and again with all of her work in mentoring our staff, in mentoring young people who are just starting out, mentoring volunteers, just really making that connection. And so she's a really hard worker. She she will do anything."
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