Honorees

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Year Honored
2012
Honoree
Michael S. Kenwood
Title
EMT
Agency
Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad
Agency City
Princeton
Agency State
NJ
Last Call
8/28/11
Cause of Death
Other Trauma
Biography
When he was younger, Michael was involved in a motor vehicle accident and never forgot the feeling of helplessness he had. He swore to himself that if he survived the accident he would learn the skills needed to help others in a medical emergency.<br /> He graduated from Ramapo High School in New Jersey and moved to Boston to attend Brandeis University. It was there, in the early 1990s, that he started with the Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps, an on-campus first response unit. He left the unit when he went to Boston University to earn his law degree. As an attorney, Michael's desire to help people was apparent, as he was known to provide pro-bono services to those in need.<br /> <br /> Michael had many loves, but none surpassed the love he had for his wife and daughter. He shared a love for cooking with her and an even bigger love for eating. It was said that he could eat and eat and eat, but yet there was no fat on him. Understandably, since he also enjoyed an active life and would scare his mother with stories of bungee jumping, sky diving, and double-black skiing, stories he usually told her after the fact. His daughter was the center of his universe, and he was a doting father. He would sing to her, play games with her, and carry her on his shoulders. He would read to her and find fun ways to teach her things.<br /> <br /> When Michael moved back to the Princeton area he reconnected with a friend from college that convinced him to rejoin EMS. Settling into his community and new job as the president and CEO of his own computer technology firm, it seemed the right thing to do. He joined the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad and regained his EMT certification. He quickly involved himself with many aspects of the squad and joined many committees. He used his knowledge of computers to form the IT committee for PFARS and offered his assistance in IT to other squads and volunteer fire departments as well.<br /> <br /> He soon wanted to do more and involved himself in rescue; he excelled in the specialized training and became a mentor for the younger members of the squad. Michael's involvement with PFARS and his desire to continually improve himself and the squad earned him the squad's Extra Mile Award for outstanding work.<br /> <br /> On the early morning of August 28, 2011, as hurricane Irene pounded the region, PFARS was dispatched to a car in the water. Michael responded with the swift water team and entered the water to search the car for anyone trapped. As the team approached the auto, it was determined that the risk to the crew was too great and they turned to retreat to safety. Just then, the water swept the team downstream. Michael was found unresponsive. Resuscitative efforts on the scene were started; however, he later succumbed to his condition.<br /> <br /> Honored 2012