The Town of Smithtown Chiefs Council held their annual dinner at the Watermill Inn on Friday, February 2, 2018. This years medal recipients are listed below.
On July 6, 2017 at approximately 1720 hours, the Smithtown Fire Department was dispatched along with the Suffolk County Police Department to the County complex on Veterans Highway in regards to an unconscious female on the sidewalk. Suffolk Police Officer Thomas LaFemina, a Paramedic assigned to COPE and MEDCAT, was fueling his police vehicle on the other side of the complex and immediately responded. Moments later, Anti-Crime Police Officers JP O'Connor and Ingrid Schwen arrived. LaFemina had found the patient in cardiac arrest and had already initiated ALS, while Officers O'Connor and Schwen did CPR. Smithtown Fire Department Chiefs Michael Landrigan and Timothy Duckham arrived shortly thereafter with District Medic Kris Martin. Martin assisted LaFemina with ALS and CPR continued. Ambulance 4-2-61 arrived on scene with Jeffery Schwartz, Kim Kguoloian and Charles Purcell on board. The crew 61, took over CPR and after a few minutes, the patient regained a pulse. The patient was transferred to the ambulance and transported to St. Catherines Hospital. Due to the rapid response, assessment and treatment of the above listed individuals, the patient made a fully recovery.
All of the members involved in this incident received an EMS Lifesaving award.
Pictured from left to right. Eugene Oliver-Council President, Assistant Chief Timothy Duckham, Assistant Chief Patrick Diecedue, XX, XX, XX, XX, County Comptroller John Kennedy, Chief Michael Landrigan, Police Officer Tom LaFemina, Assistant Chief Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ex-Chief Michael Groskopf.
On Saturday January 14, 2017 at approximately 0920 hours, Smithtown firefighter Michael Wolff was driving south bound on Terry Road when he noticed a male lying face down on the sidewalk with two individuals standing over him near Steven Place in Smithtown.
Firefighter Wolff pulled over, approached the men and asked if they needed assistance. The subjects stated that they witnessed the now unconscious male collapse and were in the process of dialing 911. Firefighter Wolff quickly assessed the victim, noting agonal respiration's and no pulse. Firefighter Wolff initiated CPR. Firefighter Wolff was joined shortly thereafter by a subject who identified himself as a physician and who assisted with CPR. After approximately five minutes of compression's, the victim started breathing on his own, at which time Firefighter Wolff and the physician confirmed that he had a pulse.
Ambulance 4-2-62, engine 4-2-3 and engine 4-2-4 arrived shortly thereafter. The victim was transported to the hospital and since released, having made a full recovery.
Firefighter Wolff received an EMS Life Saving Award from the Council.
Pictured from left to right Council President Eugene Oliver (ex-Chief of the Hauppauge Fire Department), Assistant Chief Timothy Duckham-Smithtown Fire Department, Assistant Patrick Diecidue- Smithtown, Fire Department Firefighter-Michael Wolff, Chief Michael Landrigan-Smithtown Fire Department, Assistant Chief Kevin Fitzpatrick Smithtown Fire Department, Ex-Chief Michael Groskopf- Nissequogue Fire Department.
On September 5, 2017, Smithtown Firefighter Daniel Nudelman was traveling home from a weekend vacation. As he was exiting the plane to catch a connecting flight at Bradley Airport in Connecticut, firefighter Nudelman noticed a commotion and bystanders crwding around someone one gate over. Nudelman walked over and noticed an adult male unconscious, with a civilian just beginning CPR. Nudelman approached, identified himself as a firefighter and took over CPR. An AED was brought over and hooked up to the patient. The AED delivered a shock to the patient, which was ineffective so Nudelman continued CPR. Shortly thereafter, the AED administered a second shock, which was effective as the patient had a pulse. Connecticut State Troopers and EMS arrived on scene, patient care was transferred and the patient was transported to the hospital. The patient arrived at the facility fully conscious and alert and was talking to the hospital staff. Had it not been for the actions of Smithtown firefighter Daniel Nudelman, the outcome would not have been the same.
For his efforts, firefighter Daniel Nudelman was awarded an EMS lifesaving award from the council.
Pictured from left to right Council President Eugene Oliver, Assistant Chief Timothy Duckham, Assistant Patrick Diecidue, firefighter Daniel Nudelman, Chief Michael Landrigan, Assistant Chief Kevin Fitzpatrick Smithtown Fire Department, Ex-Chief Michael Groskopf Nissequogue Fire Department.
Pictured from left to right Council President Eugene Oliver (ex-Chief of the Hauppauge Fire Department), Assistant Chief Timothy Duckham-Smithtown Fire Department, Assistant Patrick Diecidue-Smithtown Fire Department XXXXX, Chief Michael Landrigan-Smithtown Fire Department, Assistant Chief Kevin Fitzpatrick Smithtown Fire Department, Ex-Chief Michael Groskopf-Nissequogue Fire Department.
Pictured from left to right Ex-Chief Thomas Kirklava, Hauppauge Fire Department, Council President Eugene Oliver (ex-Chief of the Hauppauge Fire Department), Assistant Chief Steven Feron, Hauppauge Fire Department, Steve Matteo, XXXXX, Chief Robert Wind Jr, Hauppauge Fire Department, Assistant Chief Ron Walker, Hauppauge Fire Department, Ex-Chief Michael Groskopf, Nissequogue Fire Department.
Former LegislatorBrowning was presented with a plaque in appreciation for all of her work for the fire service in Suffolk County. Pictured left to right Ex-Chief Ron Barz, Hauppauge Fire Department, former Legislator Kate Browning, Council President Eugene Oliver, Ex-Chief Hauppauge Fire Department. .
On January 17th, 2017, a snow storm hit the Smithtown area. During the storm, the St. James Fire Department was dispatched to an EMS alarm reported to be an adult male possible stroke.
Lieutenant Paramedic John Young was the first responding unit in 4-3-80, followed by ambulance 4-3-62 with firefighter Jay Fischler, Captain/Paramedic Claire Thompson, Paramedic Kate Keegan, Rachel Caravella-Stepanek, and 2nd Assistant Chief David Mills.
While units were en-route the dispatcher advised all units the call was being upgraded to a cardiac arrest. As such, Engine 4-3-3 responded with Firefighter Philip Siemann, Captain/Paramedic Daniel Keegan, Captain/EMT Timothy Gatto, Ex-Chief William Theobalt, Lieutenants Steven Furio & Justin Kateria, and firefighters James O’Connell, and Mike Perotta.
Lieutenant Young arrived and found the patient in cardiac arrest with the family having already started CPR. Lieutenant Young attached the Defibrillator and continued chest compression's until the rest of the units arrived. Paramedics Young, Kate Keegan, Daniel Keegan and Thompson continued to administer life-support. Because of this care the patient regained a pulse prior to being transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center.
Pictured from left to right: Council President Eugene Oliver, Assistant Chief Ryan Davis, Rachel Caravella-Stepanek, Assistant Chief Frank Sapienza,firefighter/Paramedic Kate Keegan, Daniel Keegan Jr, Captain Daniel Keegan, Lieutenant John Young, Ex-Chief Michael Groskopf, Firefighter Jay Fischler.
On September 17th, 2017 at 10:17 hours the St. James Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a cardiac arrest on Floral Lane. Captain Kevin Barattini was first on scene. Paramedic Kate Keegan and Lieutenant EMT-Critical Care provider Emily Sawyer arrived shortly thereafter and quickly determined that the subject was in cardiac arrest. Paramedic Keegan and EMT-Critical Care provider Sawyer began CPR. First Assistant Chief Ryan Davis arrived to assist followed shortly thereafter by ambulance 4-3-61, manned by Lieutenant John Young, EMT Phillip Massaro Jr, Rachel Caravella-Stepanek, Drew Werner, and Firefighter James Earing. Once in the ambulance, the patient regained consciousness, but then went back into cardiac arrest. The crew continued to provide care while en-route to the hospital. Prior to arriving at the hospital, the patient regained consciousness and was conversing with the crew. The patient was transferred to the care of the hospital.
EMS lifesaving awards were bestowed upon all of the members involved in this successful rescue.
Pictured left to right: Council President Eugene Oliver, St. James FD Assistant Chief Ryan Davis, EMT Drew Werner, St. James Assistant Chief Frank Sapienza, Captain Kevin Barratini, probationary EMS member Rachel Caravella-Stepanek, Lieutenant John Young, Nissequogue FD Ex-Chief Michael Groskopf, EMT-CC Emily Sawyer, EMT Phillip Massaro, Paramedic Kate Keegan, firefighter James Earing.
On the morning of October 12, 2017 at approximately 0730 hours, St. James FD Assistant Chief Frank Sapienza and MacArthur Airport Safety Officer (AFSO) Michael Spinola were driving on Ocean Avenue in Ronkonkoma when they witnessed a vehicle leave the roadway and strike a utility pole. The pole split, resulting in the driver and front passenger doors being blocked and the transformer resting on the roof.
Chief Sapienza approached the vehicle, and found the lone occupant pinned in the driver’s seat. Chief Sapienza and AFSO Spinola forced open the rear passenger side door, and Chief Sapienza entered the vehicle. Chief Sapienza and AFSO Spinola removed the victim from the vehicle and away from the area of the downed power lines. Both men stayed with the victim, rendering care until units from the Lakeland Fire Department arrived.
For their efforts, Assistant Chief Sapienza and AFSO Spinola received a life saving award.
Pictured from left to right: Council )President Eugene Oliver, Assistant Chief Ryan Davis, Assistant Chief Frank Sapienza, AFSO Michael Spinola, Nissequogue FD Ex-Chief Michael Groskopf.
A photo of the incident is below.
Vincent Puleo, Eugene Oliver, Gregory Anderson, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Tom Kirlava Sr, Michael Groskopf, Ron Barz, Robert Craine
