We know heroes come in all sizes. 

But in Rutland, they come in the form of two little boys, Anthony, aged 8 and Beau, aged 7 who saved their grandfather’s life.

On Monday, June 15, Jessica Caloiaro left her two sons Anthony and Beau Hickey with her father so she could drive to Boston and be with her mother who had just been admitted to a hospital there. She was almost in the city when Anthony called her to say that Grandpa had fallen and was not responding to him. She told Anthony to hang up and call 911 while she called her father’s neighbor (to check on the boys) and then her mother to say that she had to turn around and return to Rutland.

“That was a difficult ride,” remembered Caloiaro about her solo ride back to Rutland, worrying not only about her father, but also how her two boys were managing the experience.

But back in Rutland, the two brothers were handling the experience quite well. While Beau found their grandfather’s oxygen tank, Anthony dialed 911, which connected to the Central Mass Regional 911 District. He spoke with dispatcher Raymond Balser and calmly told him his name, the address where they were, and what had happened.

Beau applied the oxygen mask but then Anthony told Balser that their grandfather had stopped breathing. Balser told Anthony he would have to begin chest compressions for CPR and described how to perform the life-saving technique. “He spoke clearly, calmly, and followed directions perfectly,” said Balser. 

When Rutland EMS arrived, the grandfather had resumed breathing on his own and was awake, alert, and able to speak with paramedics. He was transported by ambulance to a Worcester hospital.

For their calm, courageous, life-saving actions, Rutland Fire Department held a young hero award ceremony on June 22 at Naquag Elementary School where Anthony is in second grade and Beau is in first grade. Attending were school staff, teachers, students, Rutland paramedics, dispatchers from the Central Mass. Regional 911 District, and the Rutland Fire Department.

The two brothers stood next to each other while RFD Captain Justin Bassett recounted their life-saving actions and presented each boy with a commendation, after which their schoolmates clapped, stomped their feet, and shouted their names. 

As Bassett described it, he has never heard any adult handle such a stressful situation so calmly. “They displayed maturity and compassion beyond their years,” said Bassett, “and that should be recognized and commended.”

After the gym emptied and photographs were taken with their mother, paramedics, fire personnel, and dispatchers, Anthony was asked what he would like to do when he grew up. “I’d like to be a firefighter,” he said, “so I can save lives.”