The extrication of a worker whose hand was trapped in a salt spreader, to the out of hospital delivery of a baby, were just some of the heroic actions of the Hartsdale Fire Department that were acknowledged at their annual Recognition and Awards Ceremony.

The Board of Fire Commissioners, family, and friends, gathered at Ridge Road Park on Saturday, November 2nd, to honor members of the department for their meritorious acts and service to the department during the past year. This year’s awards reflect the fact that of the more than 2,300 calls the department responded to, 50% were EMS runs where HFD assisted local residents experiencing a medical emergency.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Deputy Chief William Perritt, who was emceeing the event, recognized HFD’s three newest Probationary Firefighters, Michael Pellegrino, Robert Morris, and John Barrett, welcoming them to the department.

Next on the agenda were the Length of Service Awards. Sharon Spagnoli, Department Secretary and Treasurer, was honored for her 25 years of service. Deputy Chief Perritt was honored for his 20 years of service. Three members were honored for 15 years, five members for 10 years, and two member for 5 years of service.

Retired Firefighters James Conners and Ian Forbes, were acknowledged for their years of service, 24 years and 16 years respectively.

The Commissioner’s Award was presented to Firefighter Michael Seemann for his off-duty resuscitation and rescue of an unconscious female who was in cardiac arrest. Deputy Chief Peter Aquilino also received the award for his coordination and leading of the EMT Training Program that would elevate patient care in the Hartsdale Fire District. As a result of this program, every firefighter will eventually be an Emergency Medical Technician.

There were two Letters of Commendation awarded to two teams of firefighters. The first for the revival of a patient with a compromised airway, the second for handling a water supply issue at a structure fire.

Five Pre-Hospital Save Awards were presented to teams of firefighters for resuscitation efforts and for stopping the bleeding of a person who had fallen through a plate glass window.

Unit Citations were issued to four teams of firefighters for their outstanding work. The first was for helping to extricate a worker whose hand was trapped in a salt spreader. The second was for a technical rescue where a patient was removed from an apartment by being lowered in a stokes basket via an aerial rope system. The third Unit Citation was for the delivery of a baby, and the final was for another technical rescue involving the rescue of a victim who fell from a bridge.

The ceremony concluded with Class 4 Citations, which are awarded to members of the department who distinguish themselves by performing extreme technical skill above and beyond the normal call of duty. These were presented to Firefighters Alex Vergo and Kerry Merkel for their work during an extrication from a salt spreader involving entrapment and amputation.