Four Huntington Town Firefighters Awarded for Bravery

Four volunteer firefighters from Town of Huntington fire departments who went above and beyond the call of duty, were among those honored and presented with Medals of Valor at the Suffolk County Medal Day ceremony. The annual event was held on September 27 by the Suffolk County Fire Academy Vocational Education and Board at Farmingdale State College.

Assistant Chief Dan Heffernan and Chief Joe Ervin of the East Northport Fire Department were both presented with Silver Medals of Valor for their heroic efforts at a house fire with a trapped victim in May 2014. After arriving at the scene of the blazing house fire and hearing that an elderly victim was trapped inside, Chiefs Heffernan and Ervin entered the building to search and located the victim on the second floor. The first arriving truck crews were able to push back the flames, and together they removed the victim from the house.

Firefighter Ryan Sammis of the Halesite Fire Department was awarded the Silver Medal of Valor for his bravery at a water rescue call involving a victim trapped in a submerged car in May 2014. Without the benefit of protective gear or dive equipment, Sammis entered the chilled water and was able to restrain the victim and hold his head above water until other responders arrived.

Firefighter Matt Monahan of the Commack Fire Department was awarded the Silver Medal of Valor for his heroic actions after coming upon the scene of a motor vehicle accident with a victim trapped in an overturned car on fire in March 2014. Without the benefit of protective gear or extrication tools, Monahan was able to extricate the young woman just moments before the vehicle became fully involved in fire.

“I am forever grateful for these brave men and women who volunteer their time, risk their lives and truly want what is best for our communities,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “Suffolk County continues to recognize the life-saving commitments and sacrifices that our emergency service responders, including those who we honored today, make for all of us every single day.  These volunteer firefighters are truly role models as they answer the call of duty 24 hours a day, 365 day a year.”

Pictured from left, are Halesite Fire Chief and Town of Huntington Fire Chiefs Council Second Vice President Dan McConnell, Medal of Valor recipients Firefighter Ryan Sammis of Halesite, Chiefs Joe Ervin and Dan Heffernan of East Northport, Firefighter Matt Monahan of Commack, Huntington Fire Chiefs Council President John McKenna, and Huntington Chief Fire Marshal Terry McNally.

Story by Steve Silverman – Photo by Dennis Whittam