Flight paramedic remembered as one of the best in clutch

Ron Battiato had been a firefighter/paramedic for about 20 years in the South suburbs.

But family members said his true calling came about 10 months ago when he signed on with Air Angels as an in-flight paramedic.

"It was a perfect fit for him," said sister-in-law and family spokeswoman Maureen Erdman. "His ability to save people's lives under those tense circumstances is what made him special."

Battiato was one of four people killed late Wednesday night when their medevac helicopter crashed in Aurora.

Assistant Fire Chief Larry Nardoni of South Chicago Heights, where Battiato, 41, worked full-time for the past year, said there was no one better to have working in clutch situations.

"Ron was the greatest with critical-care patients and that was his forte," Nardoni said. "He could stand above most paramedics in those situations."

Nardoni said Battiato also was the guy he could count on to take new recruits under his wing.

"A lot of my guys are young here so they're going through something they've never experienced before involving someone they're close with," he said. "It's a bad day for the fire service in Illinois."

Battiato, a motorcycle enthusiast, also was an active member of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, a fraternity of firefighters who ride together and promote motorcycle safety.

In his hometown of Peotone, where he worked for about 10 years, Fire Chief William Schreiber said he never worked with a more conscientious and dedicated firefighter.

"Ron could be quick with a joke but when it came time to do business, he was ready for business," he said.

Schreiber said he was meeting with other Peotone fire officials Thursday to determine how they could help the Battiato family.

"We want to do something to make sure his wife and children are taken care of," Schreiber said. "They're all part of this family."

Erdman said family members, including Battiato's wife, Michelle, and six children, the youngest of whom is 4-months old, were choosing to keep their personal memories of Battiato private. She also said the family was grieving for the families of the other three victims.

"Those that know him already know everything we could say," she said, "but the family would like Ron to be remembered as a dedicated fireman and a phenomenal father and family man."