Nearly 50 Years Of Fire Service: Smithtown Honors Tony Cruz With Lifetime Award

SMITHTOWN, NY — The Town of Smithtown honored longtime firefighter and advocate Antonio J. “Tony” Cruz with a Lifetime Achievement Award during a surprise recognition at the opening of Thursday night’s Smithtown Township Fire Chiefs Council meeting.

The award recognized Cruz’s nearly five decades of service, leadership in the fire service and his longstanding advocacy for firefighter health and cancer awareness.

Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim presented the award alongside Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo, Suffolk County Legislator Sal Formica, and Smithtown Town Clerk Tom McCarthy. The recognition took place before members of the Chiefs Council and fire service leaders from across the township and surrounding departments.

Also present were Chiefs Council President Timothy Duckham, Vice President Ryan Davis, Sergeant at Arms Chris Zarnitz, and Treasurer Vincent Puleo. Secretary Chris Crean was unable to attend.

Additional emergency services leaders attending the recognition included Town of Smithtown Chief Fire Marshal Nicholas Kefalos, Smithtown Fire Department Chief of Department Daniel Dongvort, and Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Deputy Chief of Operations Dan Keegan.

“It is a true privilege for the Town of Smithtown to recognize one of our own, Tony Cruz, with a Lifetime Achievement Award,” Wehrheim said. “Tony has spent the better part of his life protecting others — quite literally saving the lifesavers — while standing as a steady presence in the fire service and a trusted friend to so many throughout our community.”

Cruz’s service to Smithtown spans nearly five decades. After moving to the community in June 1960, he joined the Smithtown Fire Department at 18 years old and rose through the ranks from probationary firefighter to Chief of Department, serving as chief in 1997.

“We have always worked closely with our fire departments, and in recent months that collaboration has grown even stronger, making this the perfect moment to honor someone whose life has been defined by service, leadership and dedication,” Wehrheim said. “He is a good man, a respected leader and someone who has never stopped giving back.”

His public safety career also included 18 years with the FDNY.

Beyond operational leadership, Cruz is widely recognized for his work raising awareness about firefighter cancer risks and prevention.

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer more than 20 years ago, Cruz began educating firefighters throughout New York about toxic exposure, contamination risks and long-term occupational health threats associated with the profession.

Through his leadership with the Suffolk Firefighters Cancer Awareness and Mentoring Program, Cruz has advocated for improved safety practices, including stronger decontamination protocols, proper cleaning and handling of protective gear, exposure documentation, and respiratory protection standards.

His work later expanded to a broader leadership role as Vice President for the East Coast within the mentoring network, where he continues collaborating with Suffolk County partners to advance firefighter health initiatives.

During the ceremony, Formica — a former ex-chief of the Commack Fire Department — presented Cruz with a proclamation from the Suffolk County Legislature and a New York State proclamation on behalf of State Sen. Mario Mattera, who was in Albany at the time advocating for local funding matters.

Puleo also presented Cruz with a proclamation in his role as Suffolk County Clerk.

The Town of Smithtown Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Cruz reads: “In recognition of nearly five decades of dedicated service, unwavering leadership, and a lifelong commitment to firefighter health, safety and community protection. For your resilience, mentorship and devotion to the Township and in honor of your lasting legacy that will protect generations to come.”

Cruz, a husband of 46 years, father and grandfather, has influenced generations of firefighters and residents throughout Smithtown and beyond.

Town officials said the recognition celebrates not only Cruz’s remarkable career but also a legacy that continues to strengthen the fire service today.