Recognizing the quick actions of a fire captain, a challenging and successful rescue by the crew of Engine 171, and honoring long-time members of the Hartsdale Fire District were all part of the annual Hartsdale Fire Department Awards Ceremony held at Station 2 on October 10, 2016.

Citing “his quick action of the extreme hazard and effective orders to vacate,” Hartsdale Fire Captain Peter Aquilino was awarded a Class 4 Citation.

While operating at a structure fire on Cross Hill Road, in the early morning hours of March 17, Captain Aquilino noticed a sag in the living room ceiling and immediately ordered his crew to evacuate moments before a plaster ceiling, estimated to weigh 2000 pounds, collapsed where the crew had been operating. Deputy Chief Timothy Preble, who was also at the scene that night, recommended Captain Aquilino for the Citation and wrote that his (Aquilino’s) quick action kept multiple firefighters from being trapped in a collapse that could have resulted in severe injury or death.

Also honored that night was the crew of Engine 171 who responded to a multi-car accident on November 14, 2015, with one car down a 25 foot embankment, to rescue a trapped occupant. Firefighters Tim Collins, Chris Duffelmeyer, and Ian Forbes, led by Captain Chip Nanko, descended the embankment carrying hydraulic equipment and hand tools to extricate a person trapped in the driver’s seat. The crew then secured the patient in a stokes basket, allowing a rope rescue to bring the victim to the top of the embankment.

The entire operation to get the victim to the ambulance took only 13 minutes after which the crew of Engine 171 descended back down the embankment to extinguish a fire that had started in the engine of the car.

Hartsdale Fire Chief Ed Rush, who presided over the awards ceremony, commented that though it was these firefighters who were being recognized because they were on duty at the time, any member of the department would have achieved the same results because of the constant training they receive.

Also being recognized that night was Commissioner Andy Mentrasti, who was presented a Length of Service Award by Commissioner Fred Overing for his 40 years of service to the Hartsdale Fire District as a volunteer and commissioner. Chief Rush presented Volunteer Assistant Chief Ken Grogan with the Fire Commissioner’s Award for his 38 years of duty, which has enabled Hartsdale Volunteer Fire Company to serve the residents of the community. Photos by Alan Zale