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Josh Henriquez
SEYMOUR — Josh Henriquez has devoted his life to helping others during their time of need, and now the 21-year old volunteer firefighter and EMT could use some help from the community.
Henriquez, a lieutenant and EMT with Seymour Ambulance, an EMT in Ansonia and Naugatuck, and a Seymour firefighter, is at home recovering following a horrible accident Sept. 29.
Henriquez was struck by a car while training for his first marathon along the Farmington Trail in Southington.
He sustained serious injuries, including multiple facial fractures, a fracture to his humerus and suffered a fibula fracture to his left leg. Doctors tell Henriquez he’s looking at a 12-week recovery period, at least, followed by physical therapy on top of that.
Reached at home via email, Henriquez described the events of that day.
“I was training for the Hartford Eversource marathon, scheduled for Oct. 9,” he said. “While hitting the 17-mile mark on my run, there was a crosswalk ahead. As I approached the crosswalk I gradually came to a stop, looking both ways. I continued to run and out of my peripheral vision I saw a midsize vehicle and then suddenly felt pressure. The next thing I knew I woke up in the ER of Saint Mary’s. From the time being in the ER until today I’m slowly regaining memorization of the event.”
Henriquez spent three days in the hospital. The road to recovery is going to be tough. However, his friends and colleagues in Seymour and beyond are determined to make Henriquez’s journey back to health a little easier.
The members of Seymour Ambulance started a fundraising effort to assist Henriquez with medical expenses. They’re also making regular house calls, bearing food and companionship, to keep Henriquez’s spirits lifted.
“We started this to help him while he is down,” said Seymour Ambulance Chief Kyle Kelley. “We know he will be out of work for at least a few months, and let’s face it, the bills need to get paid. Josh is one of our own. He is dedicated to helping others, and this is the time where others can help him, and they have.”
Those who’d like to contribute can do so at: Venmo@SeymourEMS-Support Josh, or send donation to Seymour EMS, c/o Josh Fund, 4 Wakeley St., Seymour, CT 06483.
John Hannon, 1st Lt. with Citizens Engine Co. No. 2 holds Henriquez in high regard.
“Josh is everything that a community wants and needs in a first responder,” Hannon said via email. “He is young, intelligent, trustworthy, highly motivated, mature and responsible beyond his years. In every aspect of the title, he is a great kid. His accident is going to prevent him from doing what he loves, both professionally as an EMT as well as personally as an avid outdoorsman and mountain climber, for several months. No one should have to suffer the injuries that Josh has been saddled with, but he is truly deserving of the outpouring of support that this great community has shown him in his time of need.”
Hannon said since Seymour Ambulance created the fund, other local organizations have been pitching in.
Henriquez, an SHS Class of 2018 graduate, said he’s grateful for the outpouring of love and support.
“Words can’t really describe what I was feeling the moment I found out that they were raising funds for my recovery,” he said. “I am very thankful. I consider them my second family and always will.”
Henriquez knew at a young age he wanted to pursue a career helping others.
“It’s great knowing that there’s a possibility I’m changing someone’s outcome of their emergency,” he said. “I love what I do and nothing will change that.”
Henriquez has been a member of SFD since age 16 and became a full-fledged volunteer at age 18, when he also joined Seymour Ambulance, Ansonia and Naugatuck EMS.
