Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Huntington Station) honored and congratulated members of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad (HCFAS) for being named Suffolk County Regional Emergency Service Council award winners in a ceremony at the Greenlawn Fire House on October 25.
Honored for their work were HCFAS members:
Casey Orr, who became HCFAS chief in 2017 at age 26, won the Harriet C. Weber EMS Leadership Award. Ms. Orr has spearheaded efforts to strengthen relationships with other departments, conversion to a paid paramedic program and a reduction in mutual aid calls.
John Palmieri, a 40-year member who is president of the unit received an honorable mention for the Harriet C. Weber EMS Leadership Award. He worked with the Town of Huntington on re-engineering contractual agreements while ensuring that the unit’s 300 volunteers continued to feel valuable.
Mark Brenner received an honorable mention for EMS Educator of Excellence. Mr. Brenner joined the Huntington Community First Aid Squad in 1977 and serves as an EMT-CC and a driver. He has helped many volunteers earn their EMT certifications and teaches Continuing Medical Education (CME).
Elizabeth Mohr, R.N., who joined the squad as a youth member and later became an EMT, captain and 1st deputy chief, was awarded an honorable mention as a Registered Professional Nurse of Excellence.
Jake Levinsky has been a junior member serving in Explorers Post 215 since 2016. He completed the dispatcher training program, enrolled in an EMT class and is serving as a first-aider. His dedication helped him earn honorable mention as Youth Provider of the Year.
In addition, the Greenlawn Fire Department won EMS Agency of the Year for its leadership in the Town of Huntington, at the forefront of new techniques and pilot programs.
“It was an honor to recognize the men and women who serve their community with such distinction,” Legislator Tom Donnelly said. “All of these totally selfless volunteers make it their business to take care of those around them and do so with speed, efficiency and compassion.”