While on duty Firefighter/Paramedic Joe Baird had a non-English speaking family drive up to his fire station with a critically injured child.

Bandaged by his parents and wrapped the blankets, Baird surveyed the situation and found the approximately 18-month-old has suffered a severe laceration to the head. The injury entry wound was through the frontal bone of the skill and with exit wound was through the occipital bone of the skill, which had already caused heavy blood loss.

Baird immediately calmed and reassured the family and was able to gain enough of a patient history to determine the injury as caused by a circular saw. He called for a medical helicopter.

With his assessment complete, Baird treated the patient with hemorrhage control, oxygen therapy and fluid replacement with a total of 20cc/kg and had his patient completely ready for air transport when the unit arrived 17 minutes after the parents walked through the station doors.

The heroic part of Baird’s actions are that he was able to treat a severely injured child through a language barrier, he was able to calm and console the patients of that child to gain a patient history, treat the child in the progressed stages of shock when all he had for an intravenous therapy reference site was an anatomy lesson, and able to do all of this when his only notice of the emergency was a knock on the front door.

The concept for the Hometown Heroes Breakfast grew from the Red Cross mission of teaching people to save lives.

The Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross also helps provide emergency notifications to servicemen. Donations were requested to assist the American Red Cross in its ongoing efforts. A $100 donation can train two people in CPR/first aid while a $500 donation can clothes a family of four after a fire.

According to David Waters, chairman of the American Red Cross Board of Directors, the chapter has responded to 197 local disasters and provided food, shelter and supplies for 654 individuals and families thus far this year. Volunteers make up 97 percent of the Red Cross workforce.

"And there is a place for you if you want to volunteer," said Waters.

The humanitarian spirit is alive and thriving in Northeast Georgia, and Red Cross board member Cindy Haddon talked about the importance of caring for families in their darkest hour. From January through March, 82 persons were displaced due to fires and the American Red Cross was there to help.

Whether you make financial donation or volunteer your time to the American Red Cross, "every contribution makes a difference," said Waters. "Get trained, donate, roll up your sleeve because it doesn’t hurt to give blood."

Other "Everyday People exhibiting Extraordinary Courage" to be honored as Hometown Heroes, along with Joe Baird, was Animal Rescue Hero Mark Martin of Pet Supply Plus, who started Disaster Relief Animal Rescue in 2005 and continues to support that organization and the Athens Area Humane Society.

Honored as Disaster Relief Hero was Randy Rigney of Winterville. A Red Cross disaster volunteer, he has responded to more than 1,000 families whose lives have been destroyed by fires, tornadoes, hurricanes and other disasters.

Rod Henderson of Bishop was honored as the Good Samaritan Hero. He donated his kidney to his good friend of 20 years and neighbor, Keith Maxey, who was in the audience. Henderson said he had no idea he would be a match for Maxey but felt God touched him with a tap on the shoulder that he was supposed to unselfishly donate his kidney to his friend.

Military Hero honors went to U.S. Army Specialist Jarrod Taylor of Bishop who was unable to attend. The award was presented by Clementi Holder, in memory of her husband, H. Randolph Holder.

When Taylor’s unit was attacked, he went back twice, through enemy fire, to rescue two of his comrades. In the second rescue, a bomb went off and shrapnel injured him, but he persevered with the rescue.

Lifeguards Aziz Coleman and Hayley Callaway of Athens were honored by the Athens Rotary Club as the Water Rescue Hero.

The pair responded to a call for help when a patron fell from a kayak into the water and found that he could not swim. Their quick actions saved the non-swimmer’s life. Putting on a life jacket, the kayaker tried it again and had to be rescued twice.

Tommy York of Watkinsville was named the Citizenship Hero for his efforts as Programs Supervisor and Chaplain for the Clarke County Jail. He works tirelessly to help prisoners correct their lives and build a future for themselves.

Christin Connelly Crow of Athens was the Youth Good Samaritan Hero. A remarkable young woman she has used her talent for singing in a number of ways to benefit the community including creation of a CD published after the tragic death of Eve Carson. With her band, she has helped raised funds to help feed the hungry.

Registered Nurse Ben Arrowood of Athens was honored as the Nurse Hero. As a cardiac nurse for the past 10 years, he has touched countless lives.

Named as Law Enforcement Heroes were Officer James Moss and Officer Harrison Daniel of Athens. Dwight Moss accepted for his son who was honeymooning in Greece.

The officers responded to an accident where the driver hit a tree and was trapped. The car was on fire and the two officers could not get the man out. They kept the man calm until the fire department arrived and successfully freed the burned man.

Sue and Don Beitzel of Elberton were honored as the Community Impact Hero. Since 1995, when they saw the need for a local place for battered women to go they have operated SafeHouse Ministries, Inc. They have helped thousands of women escape from abusive relationships.

The Fire Rescue Hero is Daniel Hooper of Hull. he and his father and two children drove up on a car accident on Highway 316 and Hooper crawled into the burning car and cut the seatbelts off of three teenage boys.

Tax-deductible donations to the American Red Cross can be made to the East Georgia Chapter, 490 Pulaski St., Athens, GA 30601.

For more information about the American Red Cross, visit www.eastgeorgia.redcross.org

The 2009 Hometown Heroes selection committee also considered 24 other nominations.

Barrow County Emergency Management Agency Director Jimmy Terrell was among the community members from across Northeast Georgia serving on the selection committee.