Physical Therapist By Day, Halesite Fireman By Night: 'I’m Happy'

HALESITE, NY — Attilio Pensavalle grew up in a two-family home in Flushing. The home was behind a firehouse. Pensavalle recalls walking by the firehouse, where firefighters would let him ring the bell that signified an alarm.

"I was always in and out of the firehouse," Pensavalle told Patch. "I grew up behind it, so I always had an attraction to the fire service."

Pensavalle is now Dr. Pensavalle. He is 65, lives in Halesite, and owns FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers in Lake Success. Being a physical therapist is only his day job, however.

In May 2020, Pensavalle's office was in the middle of a coronavirus-related shutdown. He and his wife had received a flyer from the Halesite Fire Department indicating that there was a need for volunteers. Pensavalle, who had aspirations of joining the FDNY and had started EMT training before schooling took over, jumped at the opportunity.

Pensavalle told his wife he wanted to step up, as he had read that volunteerism was declining across the United States. He applied to the Halesite Fire Department the next day.

"They told me they cross-train EMTs and firefighters, and that was music to my ears," Pensavalle said. "It was something I’ve always had very, very close to my heart."

Pensavalle, who has been a physical therapist for 42 years, has long been studying anatomy, health and medical aspects of the human body. He has found ways to apply his knowledge to his firefighting and EMT work, which he does on nights and weekends.

"My background as a PT really helps me with the medical aspects and how people are hurting from different things," Pensavalle said. "Whether it’s a fall with an injury they’ve sustained or just a regular medical problem, my educational background really comes in handy."

Pensavalle said his work with the Halesite Fire Department engages him and gives him a chance to give back to the community.

"When we go to somebody’s home, they’re in a bad way," he said. "The relief that we see in their eyes when we get there. ‘Oh God, this is bad, and somebody is here to help us.’ That really is something."

Pensavalle said the department received a call a few weeks ago about a 3-year-old girl who was having difficulty breathing. She had a respiratory issue to boot. An ambulance with four EMTs on it, a support car, the chief of the Halesite FD, and the local Suffolk police all showed up.

"The parents were a wreck because naturally, your child is in trouble and bad enough that you felt the need to call the ambulance," Pensavalle said. "They were really, really concerned. They looked much, much better when we had a whole crew of folks coming."

There are also key differences between Pensavalle's two occupations.

Patients that come into Pensavalle's practice have medical reports he can fall back on, and he helps them in a calm, quiet, and organized way, he said.

When it comes to emergency calls at the firehouse, however, Pensavalle said people drop everything, run to the firehouse, get into the ambulance or fire truck, and head to the alarm.

"You really have to think very rapidly, think on your feet, and be able to respond instantaneously to whatever the problem is," he said. "There is a real big difference between what I do during the day and what I do at night and on the weekends. It’s still very, very gratifying."

Pensavalle said he works with a great group of men and women who all have the same goal: helping the neighborhood. The department is a tight-knit community, he said.

Pensavalle has treated many firefighters, including some from the FDNY, over the years. He would listen to their stories and think back to his childhood memories.

"‘This is something I would’ve loved to do,’" he would think to himself as he listened to firefighters' stories.

"And now I’m doing it. I’m happy."