To the Editor:

Brett Grandaw began his public service when he was eighteen years old in Canton as a volunteer firefighter/basic EMT. Brett went on to become a professional firefighter/paramedic in Somerville, Mass. and Hyannis, Mass., serving these communities for over 20 years. While working as a firefighter/paramedic/rescue diver with the Hyannis Fire Department, he was a member of Local 2172 and received a Firefighter of the Year award and a Company Citation. He also became a rescue specialist/paramedic with FEMA USAR MATF 1 in Beverly, Mass. When the World Trade Center tragedy in 2001 happened, Brett was called to service at Ground Zero along with so many other people who put their lives in jeopardy to try and save as many lives as possible.

Brett has volunteered for Relay for Life at Dennis-Yarmouth for many years. He was on the Steering Committee, and was the Logistics Chairman for five years and the Event Chairman for three years. He has been a Fire/Special Rescue Instructor at the Barnstable County Fire Training Academy, Barnstable Mass., and an EMT/Paramedic Instructor at Cape Cod Community College. He has also been on a Planning Committee for Mass Causality Incident Drill between Fire, Police, Airport (FAA) and Hospitals.

Brett moved back home to the North Country six years ago. He is a 2007 graduate of SUNY Canton Mortuary Science and is presently employed as a Licensed Funeral Director with Seymour Funeral Home in Potsdam. He also participates as a volunteer fire fighter with the Pierrepont Fire Department and is NYS Licensed Basic EMT certified. Brett is also a 2010 graduate of St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, St Lawrence Leadership Institute.

Brett’s passion to help people and serve the community has been a part of his life for over 30 years. His extensive training and service to the public has given him the knowledge and understanding to represent St. Lawrence County as your County Coroner. Your vote for Brett Grandaw would further enable him to continue serving the people of this community.

Lori Corbine Smith

Pierrepont