On two separate occasions in October, members of Local 684, EMS professionals with Stamford EMS of Connecticut, were assigned to the motorcades of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden during their respective visits to the Stamford area.
On October 5, Local 684 President James Duffy and member Drew Panapada were each assigned to Vice President Biden's motorcade in order to insure his safety as he viewed various projects that are part of the TIGER grant program along Connecticut's' Route 15. Through this program state governments can receive grant moneys for use in surface transportation projects.
"It was an honor to receive this detail," said Duffy. "Fortunately it was an uneventful day and the medical skills of my crew weren't needed for the vice president."
Duffy and Panapada were surprised with an additional request to assist the Secret Service during President Obama's October 23 visit to Stamford to attend a fundraising dinner. Additionally, Local 684 members Joshua Baldwin and Gary Wilson were assigned to cover the event location and attendees. Once again, it was an uneventful evening and nobody required any medical attention.