First Responders Presented With 'Keys to Town' For Life-Saving Water Rescues

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NY - Several local first responders were presented with special "Keys to the Town" for their efforts in two life-saving water rescues during a special "Day of Heroes" at this week's Hempstead Town Board meeting.

The honorees included:

• Town of Hempstead Bay Constable Greg McDonald
• Town of Hempstead Bay Constable Orazio Taddeo
• Nassau County Police Officer Jamal Ramos
• Nassau County Police Officer Anthony Albanese
• Nassau County Police Officer Paul Maywald
• Nassau County Police Officer Ahmad Kessba
• Island Park Fire Department 1st Assistant Chief James Miotto
• Island Park Fire Department 2nd Assistant Chief Michael Whalen
• Island Park Fire Department Ex-Captain Donny Cardineau
• Island Park Fire Department Ex-Captain Margarita Rodriguez
• Island Park Fire Department Ex-Captain Russell Waters
• Dr. Alan Greenfield
• Island Park Fire Department Captain Anthony Ciccimarro
• Island Park Firefighter William Whaley
• Island Park Firefighter Ronald Nurnberger, Jr.
• Island Park Firefighter Jenna Thilman
• Island Park Firefighter Louis Quilca
• Inwood Fire Department 1st Assistant Chief Anthony Rivelli, Jr.

The group was recognized by Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony J. Santino, Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney and Councilman Anthony D’Esposito.

“Today we are proving the adage that heroes are often ordinary people who do extraordinary things under extraordinary circumstances,” Santino said. “We are recognizing police officers and other first responders who put thoughts of their own safety aside to save the lives of others.”

On April 7, McDonald, of Wantagh, and Taddeo, of Oceanside, rescued 5 people from the waters of Jones Inlet over the course of 50 hours in extreme weather conditions including driving rains, high winds, heavy surf, and near-freezing air temperatures.

The two managed to rescue three people trapped on a damaged vessel that had been taking on water and then saved the lives of two men stranded on an inflatable boat.

“Thank you to these heroes and to all of our first responders for protecting our families and keeping our communities and waterways safe,” King Sweeney said. “These brave first responders put their lives on the line for us every day, and these life-saving rescues demonstrate how they go above and beyond the call of duty,” D’Esposito added.

A couple of weeks later, a group of Nassau County police officers and firefighters from the Island Park and Inwood Fire Departments worked to save the lives of two people who were inside a car submerged in the waters of Broad Channel in Island Park.

When the police officers arrived, the car was in 6 feet of water, about 50 feet from the bulkhead.

The driver escaped and was on top of the car, while the passenger remained trapped inside the car when police arrived.

With a ladder and a group of firefighters, they were able to keep the passenger safe until a diver with training in water rescue got the trapped victim out of the car and transported him to shore.

“The quick and sure responses of these heroes are exactly the type of actions for which we created the key to Hempstead Town,” Santino said. “Thank you to these brave men and women and to all first responders for their service to our residents.”