The Recipients

2008 Recipients of
The Larry Williams Memorial Valor Award

Firefighters Brian O'Neill and Joseph Barbara
Bohemia Fire Department

    On the night of March 18, 2007 at 23:40 hours the Bohemia Fire Department received notification of a residential structure fire on Wall Street in bohemia via the Bayport Fire Department dispatcher. First arriving units 3-12-30 and 3-12-32 found heavy fire showing from the living room on the #1 side of the building. Within moments of our arrival we were notified of an occupant trapped inside the structure by Suffolk County firecom. 3-12-6 arrived on scene seconds later and firefighters Brian O'Neill and Joseph Barbara were given the assignment of search. Both members entered the structure through the front window of the occupant's bedroom while the other members of the crew stretched hose lines to be put into operation. A quick and aggressive search of the bedroom was performed and proved negative. The fire was quickly spreading, hose lines were put into operation and directed in through the front living room window in an effort to hold the fire back long enough for the search team to make entry into the hallway outside bedroom. Approximately ten feet from the bedroom door they located 42 year old Donna Bilekia. Ms. Bilekia was found face down on the floor and unconscious. Both Brian and Joseph notified command that they had located the occupant and were bringing her to the bedroom window where they had made entry. They brought Ms. Bilekia to the window and were assisted by several other firefighters in removing her from the structure. Ms. Bilekia was breathing at the time of removal and patient care was transferred to Sayville Community Ambulance who continued lifesaving efforts. She was transported to Southside Hospital with thermal burns to her body and also internal burns due to smoke inhalation. From there she was later transferred to Nassau Community Medical Center for treatment in a hyperbaric chamber. Unfortunately, Ms. Bilekia never regained consciousness and passed away approximately a week later due to her injuries.
    Brian and Joseph's selfless and meritorious performance that night were in the proudest traditions of being a firefighter. Their actions put them in extreme personal risk.
 

2008 Recipients of
The Harold Lally Memorial Valor Award

Chief Salvatore Formica and Ex-Chief Robert Jinks
Commack Fire Department

     On September 2, 2007 at 8:35 pm, the Commack Fire Department was activated for a structure fire at 42 Walter Court. Chief Salvatore Formica was the first to give a signal 2, responding to the scene, and was advised by the dispatcher that there were multiple calls and notification of an elderly person trapped within.

    Ex-Chief Robert Jinks also responded to the scene from his house which is located around the corner from the fire scene. Upon Ex-Chief Jinks arrival on the scene, he was notified by neighbors that there was a woman trapped in the kitchen of the now involved two-story wood framed house. Ex-Chief Jinks, being a homeowner in the area, was very familiar with the layout of the house. So when he was told where the victim was, he was able to go directly to the kitchen without delay. Ex-Chief Jinks who wore turn out gear, crawled on his hands and knees in an attempt to reach the woman. But without the aid of an SCBA and due to the intense heat, smoke and poor visibility, he was unable to reach the victim. Although Jinks came within a few feet from reaching her. He had to turn around and exit the house. Upon his exit he was met by Chief Formica. Bob Jinks advised Chief Formica that he would need to don his SCBA pack in order to reach the victim. Now with the house fully involved, Chief Formica entered the kitchen area and under the direction of Jinks, the Chief was able to locate the victim.

    Chief Formica quickly grabbed the elderly woman and pulled her closer to the door where Ex-Chief Jinks then aided in getting, her to the side entrance. The victim was handed off to a Suffolk County Police Officer and another member of the Commack Fire Department who was on the scene.

    The member ascertained that the victim, identified as Mary Feltham, was alive with a weak pulse and shallow breathing. He administered oxygen to her until Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps arrived and gave her additional medical attention. Mary Feltham was airlifted to the Stony Brook University Hospital Burn Center by the Suffolk County Police Department Medivac helicopter with second and third degree burns over forty percent of her body.

    Ex-Chief Jinks was treated for smoke inhalation and transported to St. Catherine's Hospital by CVAC. Chief Formica assumed command of the scene until the fire was extinguished and all units were returned to quarters.

    Without the quick response and instinctive reaction of Ex-Chief Robert Jinks and Chief Formica, this incident would have ended much differently.
 

2008 Recipients of
The Brennan - Schrang Memorial Valor Award

Captain John Ipolito Jr. and Lieutenant Edward Kunz Jr.
Bay Shore Fire Department

     On Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 16:20 hours the Bay Shore Fire Department was activated for a structure fire at 1446 Brooklyn Boulevard. Upon arriving, Chief of Department Bryan Butler immediately transmitted a signal 13-35 "working fire" with heavy fire throughout the first floor of this one story wood-framed ranch. Suffolk County Police also advised Chief Butler on the scene that a person was trapped inside and attempts to enter the residence were unsuccessful due to the immense heat and flames. Chief Butler transmitted to responding units that there was an occupant trapped.

    First due responding Engine 3-1-1 was instructed to stretch a line to the fire building. While the crews were coordinating this effort, Lieutenant's Edward Kunz and John Ippolito knowing time was drawing near for the demise of the occupant, entered the front door through a wall of flames to the hallway in an attempt to reach the bedroom only to be met by a more intense wall of thick toxic smoke. Realizing the bedroom would be the only possible remaining location for any surviving occupant, Lieutenant's Kunz and Ippolito breached the adjoining wall of the bedroom. Utilizing low profile techniques they entered the bedroom. Without the benefit of a thermal imaging camera Kunz and Ippolitio quickly located a male victim unconscious and badly burned positioned face down and against the bedroom door. Without hesitation, Kunz and Ippolito swiftly removed the victim through the breached wall they had entered through and back through the fully involved living room. Carrying the victim, Kunz and Ippolito pushed past firefighters that were entered the building to conduct fire suppression. Upon exiting the building Kunz and Ippolitio safely carried the victim to the lawn. Realizing the victim was in respiratory arrest, Lieutenant Ippolito began mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing while Lieutenant Kunz prepared to assist with chest compressions, if needed, feverishly attempting to revive this severely injured and lifeless victim.

    Upon the arrival of EMS the victim, now with a slight pulse, was stabilized and transported to Southside Hospital where the victim was listed in critical condition. The victim was then later transported to Stony Brook University Hospital Burn Unit, where due to the selfless and quick actions of Lieutenant Kunz and Lieutenant Ippolito, is alive today and expected to make a full recovery.

    Without regard for their own personal safety and well being Lieutenant's Kunz and Ippolito displayed selfless courage and bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Their actions this day exemplified the true meaning of "Volunteer Firefighter". Their attitude of life above self, assured that the victim, while so dangerously close to Heaven's door, was spared by these two guardian angels and given a second chance at life.

 

Past Recipients

PAST LARRY WILLIAMS MEMORIAL MEDAL OF VALOR RECIPIENTS

2006
 Lieutenant David Robrecht - Kings Park Fire Department

2004
 Firefighter William Nichols - St. James Fire Department

2002
William Waldron Jr., Peter Brennan, James Cummings, Robert Souhrada, Daniel Boucher

2000
Jamie Dobbs, Richard Huttie, Thomas Mattos, Richard Templeton

1998
Patrick Molloy, Peter Collie, Paul Campson

1996
Douglas Mulholland, Kenneth T. Jones, William Pyne III

1994
Robert A. Miller, Donald Miller, Peter Baretsky, Robert Pettigrew, Jack Parrett

1992
Kelly Lopreto

1991
Charles Cunningham

1989
Michael McMahon

 

Past Harold Lally Memorial MEDAL OF Valor Recipients

2006
 Captain Walter C. Reutlinger - Sayville Fire Department

2004
Lieutenant Dan Coffey - Farmingville Fire Department

Past Brennan - Schrang Memorial MEDAL OF Valor Recipients

2006
 Assistant Chief Rick Gimbl - Holbrook Fire Department

2004
2nd Assistant Chief Bryan Butler - Bay Shore Fire Department
Ex-Captain Edward Smith - Bay Shore Fire Department