HERO: Frank Venuto, Lieutenant Firefighter/Paramedic
NOMINATED BY: Josefina Genao, Cruise and Tours Unlimited
Frank Venuto was raised by a single Latin mother and learned the meaning of hard work at an early age. As the older of the siblings, he made it a habit of helping and taking care of those around him. He went to Dessert Storm and when he returned he wanted to do something that would make the difference. He wanted to be the silent hero. He works for Miami Dade Fire - Hazmat. As a Hazmat Lieutenant, he is responsible in handling all Covid19 related calls. He has been working with all the cruise ships and assures that the Covid19 patients are taken care of. He help come up with idea for a full wash in order to save time and not have the trucks out of service for too long. The picture sent is after fighting a fire in a home and then the survivors were ill and he was able to assist them.
Durning his free time, he volunteers in food banks. He cooks and delivers food to elderly and checks up on them to make sure that they are doing well. He goes into low income home and helps them with painting and small home repairs, for those that cannot go out.
Mr. Venuto was recently tested for Covid19 and was found to have the antibodies (meaning at one point he had the virus). When asked if he ever felt sick, he stated that he felt tired and worn down, but did not put any mind to the thought that he might be infected because he needed to help and make sure people were being taken care of.
Mr. Venuto is a Military Veteran and is close to retiring from the fire department. This individual doesn't take the easy road out, and waits for time to pass in order to retire, he makes sure that every moment counts, that he can put a smile on everyone he encounters.
