East Meadow Fire Department
Commendations
March 25, 1969
Ex-Captain Bob Hansen E-2
On March 25, 1969, an alarm came in for a house fire on Maurice Avenue. A signal 10 was transmitted. It was discovered that a woman was still in the house. Ex- Captain Bob Hansen of Engine Company 2 made entry into the house and located the woman, who was unconscious. He pulled her to safety and she survived. Ex- Captain Hansen was later acknowledged for his act of heroism.
1970
Great Personal Risk
Ex-Chief Daniel Lennon L-2, Ex-Captain James Martino L-1
While operating at the scene of a Signal 10 (Working Fire) Ex-Chief Lennon and Ex-Captain Martino rescued an adult victim unconscious on the 2nd floor removing him to safety. For their actions, this person’s life was saved.
February 28, 1983
Nassau County Gold Medal of Valor
Firefighter Frank Ciaccio E-2, Firefighter Dave Magruder E-4
While on scene of a working fire in a row of stores a mayday called was sounded as two fellow firefighters became trapped. As one firefighter emerged FF Ciaccio and Magruder entered the structure, located the firefighter, and removed him to safety.
1984
Firefighter Robert Levine E-3
While in travel, Firefighter Levine noticed smoke pouring from a residence. Firefighter Levine notified the East Meadow Fire Department of the working fire. Without any personal protective equipment, Firefighter Levine entered the burning residence shouting for occupants. As the family were awakened, they were led to safety.
1984
Firefighter John Cates L-2
While in travel Firefighter John Cates came upon a parent running to the street with an infant blue and not breathing. Without hesitation, Firefighter Cates took the baby and perform life saving resuscitation techniques. For his effort the baby’s life was saved.
1987
Avianca Plane Crash
On January 25, 1989 Flight 51 from Bogata to New York crashed in the sparsely populated are of Oyster Bay Cove, bring our hundreds of emergency responders to the scene. The above EMFD Volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the night with dozens of other agencies to save the lives of 87 passengers on the plane.
1989
Great Personal Risk
Ex-Captain Carey Welt L-2
While operating as a Nassau County Fire Marshal, East Meadow Ex-Captain Carey Welt crawled underneath a 6,000 gallon liquid propane tank on fire at the All-Boro Gas Company in the New Cassel section Westbury. At the time of his efforts, the entire area was threatened by the potential of a mass explosion as cylinders under the intense heat were rocketing through the air with several explosions rocking the commercial development.
1991
Nassau County Meritorious
Ex-Captain Robert W. Beck, Ex-Chief Eric W. Becker Ex-Captain James Callahan, Ex-Chief Gary J. Nauth
While operating at a Signal 10 (Working Fire) house fire, a search and rescue effort was performed by the above members. Within minutes, firefighters emerged from the burning home with two unconscious residents. Although one of the residents died, the other survived the fire as a result of the quick actions of these men.
1995
Ex Captain Joseph Duggan
While in travel Ex Captain Joseph Duggan happened onto a motor vehicle accident with a vehicle on fire. Without any hesitation, nor personal protective clothing, Ex Captain Duggan removed the victim from the burning vehicle. This person survived the crash and fire as a result of his quick actions.
2000
Unit Citation – Ladder Company 2
Lieutenant Vincent Finneran L-2, Lieutenant Peter Cheswick L-2, Firefighter Derek Keene L-2, Firefighter Nick Corrado L-2, Firefighter Clayton Finkelman L-2
While returning from a kitchen fire in a restaurant, Ladder 2 came upon a car accident involving a LIPA pole, with live 13,200-volt electrical lines on Hempstead Tpke. in front of Nassau University Medical Center. While approaching the scene, the transformer on the badly damaged pole exploded and live wires came in contact with the truck causing multiple explosions and the pole to snap. After pulling clear of the wires, the men exited the truck and removed the 4 victims away from the hazardous area, including an adult female who was lying on the ground next to an arching wire. Unfortunately, 1 victim later succumbed to massive head trauma sustained during the accident, but for their efforts, the other 3 victims all survived their injuries.
2005
Nassau County Bronze Medal of Valor Class III Meritorious Personal Risk
Lieutenant Christopher Accatino L-1, Firefighter Michael Liverani L-1, Ex Captain Craig Euler E-3, Firefighter Daniel Ward E-4, Firefighter John Joslin E-3
While operating at a Signal 10 (Working House Fire) a distress call was given by Firefighter Ward, that his partner had been rendered unconscious inadvertently struck with a straight stream of another attack line. Firefighter Ward’s distress calls were answered by Lt Accatino, Firefighter Liverani, Firefighter Euler, and Firefighter Joslin, who entered the structure and removed the unconscious firefighter to safety.
September 8, 2009
Ex Captain Robert Grigonis
While on line to apply for a boat slip at the West Marina in Point Lookout, Ex Captain Grigonis suddenly witnessed a man who had fallen to the floor. Following all his training Ex Captain Grigonis assessed the patient, recognized the cardiac arrest condition, called for help, and began CPR. He was soon joined by a Point Lookout Police Officer and the point Lookout FD ambulance. As rescuers continued with the electric shocks of a defibrillator, Ex Captain Grigonis checked for a pulse again. Finding a pulse and stopping compressions, the victim became to breathe on his one. If not for Ex Captain Grigonis’s training, the victim likely may not have survived.
August 31, 2009
Ex Captain/Fire-Medic Kathy Walsh, Fire-Medic Keri-Ann Flanagan, Ex Captain Daniel Thompson, Fire-Medic Kathy Choy, Firefighter-Paramedic Jonathan Haber, Firefighter EMT Daniel Corr, and Ex Chief EMT John O’Brien
Alerted to an EMS call on Stuyvesant Ave, the Safety Officer EMT arrived on the scene first. While performing an assessment, the patient suddenly slipped into unconsciousness, soon having no pulse. CPR was quickly initiated as ambulance 615 arrived with additional members to carry out several life saving techniques. Suddenly a member shouted, we have a pulse. The crew continued advanced life support care for the now breathing patient to the hospital where it was found that day that the patient had survived the incident.
February 16, 2012
EMS Save Cardiac Arrest
Advance Life Support Captain Robert Salvesen Sr Firefighter/Paramedic Jon Haber Crews or Rescue 4 & 5 Ex Captain John Schreiner
On Feb. 16 at 1:15 p.m., a resident of Levittown came to East Meadow’s Fire Station 3 on North Newbridge Road in a desperate need for help.
After a few knocks on the door, the person had fallen to the ground, an apparent victim of a heart attack.
Seconds later, Ex-Captain John Schreiner Sr. of Ladder Co. 2 found the person and immediately called East Meadow Dispatch for help. With EMFD’s pagers now announcing the call for Rescues 4, 5, and advanced life support fly car 6199, the EMS system was now in motion and soon to be tested.
Within three minutes of the call, unit 6199 manned by paramedic Robert Salvesen Sr., who lives just blocks away, arrived on the scene. He was followed by Chief Carl L. Pugliese. Returning home from his job as a Paramedic, East Meadow volunteer Firefighter / Paramedic Jon Haber was in the area, heard the call, and responded.
Quickly the patient was assessed and found to be in full cardiac arrest. As more firefighters & EMTs arrived on the scene, efforts to save a life intensified. In the minutes that followed, the patient was defibrillated several times without success as quality CPR continued in between shocks.
Within five minutes of the alarm, both ambulances 615 and 6144 were arriving on the scene. By then, Salvesen and Haber were establishing a successful advanced life support airway and continuing their advanced life saving techniques.
With initial medications administered at scene, unit 615 now transported the patient to the Nassau University Medical Center as several of East Meadow’s best worked feverishly in coordination with doctors on two-way radio at medical control, who monitored, consulted and approved further advanced life support heart medications.
Just prior to 615’s arrival at the hospital, the efforts of all rescuers would be rewarded as the patient’s heartbeat restarted.
At the hospital, emergency room staff were quickly assembled and prepared for the short arrival time of Rescue 5. The hopes of saving a life was placed in the competent hands of hospital professionals. Doctors continued the fight, making further life saving decisions to improve the patient’s condition, prevent further deterioration and developed a plan to correct the cause of the sudden illness.
Once the patient was stabilized enough for transport, he was moved to North Shore Manhasset Hospital for immediate cardiac procedures, where the patient’s improvement is gradual with future treatment expected.
In all, 21 East Meadow volunteers responded to the emergency.
As word filtered throughout the East Meadow Fire Department in the days after, handshakes and congratulations were abound for another job well done.
Our hats are off to Robert Salvesen Sr, Jon Haber, Rescues 4 and 5 and all other East Meadow volunteers who responded to this alarm, many from companies not assigned to the alarm but who were in the area knowing they could help.
Now, more than 11 years later, a grateful man enjoys his life and family. Grateful to the men and women of the East Meadow Fire Department who were at the best on that day.
2021
EMS Life Saving Award
Chief James Walsh, Ex Captain Edward Licciardo
In two separate incidents within a month of each other, Asst Chief James Walsh and Captain Edward Licciardo, both off duty volunteers spotted civilians in distress.
Asst Chief Walsh, while driving his vehicle in East Meadow, came across a frantic mother with a child in the car who was choking on candy. Chief Walsh immediately called dispatch for an ambulance forthwith. Prior to the arrival of East Meadow volunteers, Chief Walsh had successfully performed to Heimlich Maneuver and freed the airway obstruction.
Captain Edward Liccardo, while dining with his family in an area restaurant, when suddenly a young child at another table began to choke. As panic ensued around, Captain Licciardo successfully performed the Heimlich Maneuver freeing the airway obstruction.
If not for these 2 men being in the right place at the right time, the outcome may have been very different.