Stratford, CT – The Town of Stratford is proud to announce that three of its 911 Dispatchers — Estefani Escalante, Suzanne (Suzi) Smolinsky, and Paul Tighe — were recognized with a Unit Citation during the State of Connecticut EMS Advisory Board Awards Ceremony, held September 25, 2025, at the Mohegan Sun Conference Center.

The award honored the dispatchers’ professionalism, teamwork, and dedication during a critical emergency incident earlier this year involving an overturned boat in the Housatonic River with four people on board.

Dispatcher Estefani Escalante answered the initial 911 call and remained on the line with the distressed caller, who eventually entered the water and drifted toward Long Island Sound. For nearly an hour, Escalante provided calm reassurance, gathered and relaye

See Full Page