West Babylon, NY: On the afternoon of December 15th, Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey joined his partners in County government at the Headquarters of the West Babylon Fire Department to announce the Suffolk County COVID-19 Meritorious Pin program.
The County, through a partnership between Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services and The Suffolk Regional Emergency Medical Services Council, purchased a number of COVID-19 pins, which will be presented to and worn by first responders to signify their role in responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The pins will be distributed by members of the Suffolk County Legislature to the fire and ambulance agencies they represent.
West Babylon Fire Department EMT Marie Holder was the first responder to receive the award, which was presented to her by Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Robert Calarco.
Attending the ceremony were representatives from all factions of government as well as public health and safety, including the sponsor of the Resolution authorizing the Meritorious Pin program in Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly, Legislator Kevin McCaffrey, Legislator Steve Flotteron, Presiding Officer Rob Calarco, Suffolk Regional Emergency Medical Services Council Vice Chairman and West Babylon Fire District Commissioner John Manzi, Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Patrick Beckley, Suffolk County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Piggott, Town of Babylon Public Safety Commissioner Gerard Gigante, Fire Chiefs Council of Suffolk County President Tom Kirklava, Suffolk County Chief of EMS Operations Paul Mara, New York State Association of Fire Chiefs Director Anthony LaFerrera, Past President of Brookhaven Town Fire Chiefs Council John Masem, West Babylon Fire District Commissioner Daniel McCarthy, West Babylon Fire Department 1st Assistant Chief Michael Vergano, Cathy Wilinsky and Mike Goszinski from Southhold Fire Department, and Jamie Atkinson of the Islip Town Ambulance Chiefs Association.
Pictured: Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey (left) and Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Rob Calarco (right) pose with EMT Marie Holder after she was presented with the first COVID-19 Meritorious Pin in Suffolk County. Photo Credit: Ronald Monteleone Photography.
Legislator Kevin McCaffrey represents Suffolk County's 14th Legislative District, which encompasses the Villages of Lindenhurst and Babylon, the hamlets of West Babylon and North Lindenhurst, portions of Copiague, North Babylon, and Babylon's barrier beach communities.