Appreciation Dinner:
October 12, 2006: The Joint Fire Service Leadership of Monroe County put on a Firefighter Appreciation Dinner. Recognized at the dinner were members from various Fire Departments around the county, and recipients of the Gold Seal Award, Distinguished Service Award, EMS Life Saving Award, Michael Sadden Award, Good Neighbor Distinguished Service, Meritourious Service Award, and the Unit Commendation Award.
18 members from the North Greece Fire Department were recognized for the Unit Commendation Award for their performance at the incident on February 10, 2006. Chief Jim Maxwell's letter of recommendation can be read below:
August 18, 2006
Mr. Kevin Crouch
Monroe County Deputy Fire Coordinator
Dear Kevin:
In the early morning hours of February 10, 2006, the North Greece Fire Department was alerted of a motor vehicle accident with a car overturned and two people ejected at 303 North Greece Road. 2C-187 and Engine 277 were on location at 00:55 confirming the dispatch information. One victim was in the yard of the residence and was an obvious DOA. The second victim was in the nearby creek lying partially on the ice and in the water and visible observation from the shore indicated he was also DOA.
A survey of the scene and vehicle contents showed extra clothing and broken ice indicating that a possible third victim was in the area, possibly submerged in the creek. Lieutenant Nick Penna organized the response team to perform a search of the creek and surrounding area. In doing so, two teams were formed consisting of a line tender, shore monitor, entry personal in cold water dry suits and overall scene safety. Lieutenant Penna also utilized senior firefighters with past experience as well as the on-duty Lakeshore firefighter as resources in setting up the search evolution.
At 01:25 the search of the creek began with all knowing this was probably a recovery operation and not a rescue. So, a long tedious process of breaking ice and probing the creek bottom for the possible victim began. At 03:00 confident that they had covered all areas that a potential victim could have been, the search was terminated and victim two was extricated.
Every firefighter on scene that morning risked their personal safety performing above expectations to search the creek bed for a possible victim. They each played a significant part in the successful outcome of this incident.
Although both young adults were determined to be fatalities early on in this incident, the situation was very challenging and hazardous to all responders searching for the possible third victim. It is for these reasons that I would like to recommend the following firefighters for the Gold Seal Award for risking their personal safety in searching the creek for a third victim and recovering the second, as well as managing a coordinated effort utilizing all resources to achieve a safe outcome.
North Greece Fire Department Personnel:
Lieutenant Nick Penna
Lieutenant Dave Stagnitto
Firefighter Mike Beaty
EMT Dave Cheesman
Firefighter Tom Clark
Firefighter Sean Glenney
EMT Larry Helfer
Firefighter Scott Louth
Firefighter Frank Lombardo Sr.
Firefighter Bill Miller
Firefighter Bud Morgan
Firefighter Tom Piazza
Firefighter Chris Pignato
Firefighter Ken Preston
Firefighter John Short
Firefighter Pete Smith
Dispatcher Andy Hinds
Lakeshore Fire Department Personnel:
Firefighter Sean Freeman
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Maxwell
Chief, North Greece Fire Department
Associated Photos:
