On Tuesday January 30th, 2018 at 11 AM, Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim presented to members of Gibson & Cushman Contracting Dredging Crew, Kings Park Fire & EMS, along with Medical Professionals from St. Catherine of Siena Hospital with a Proclamation for bravery and fast action in the rescue efforts of town employees on the Nissequogue River. The members of the Waterways & Navigation crew who were rescued from the freezing waters were reunited with the good samaritans who brought them to safety.
“A first responder’s primary duty is to protect all others before self. But, when unforeseen conditions put the lives of first responders at risk, who protects them? On December 12, 2017 dangerous currents on the Nissequogue River overturned a Smithtown Public Safety Waterways & Navigation Division vessel, putting the three officers and two members of the Parks Department in imminent danger. A dredging team of seven men from Gibson & Cushman Contracting saw the law enforcement boat in danger and reacted without hesitation or concern for their own well-being. Despite the freezing conditions and rough seas, Jordy K. Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Keith “Marty” Ramsey, Peter Wadelton, Michael Lake, Che Daniels and Daniel Engel acted selflessly in the successful rescue efforts of town employees. It is my honor to present them with this proclamation for bravery, lifesaving and meritorious actions.” – Supervisor Ed Wehrheim
Members of Gibson & Cushman Contracting Dredging Crew who were honored: Jordy K. Johnson (Skiff Operator) Joseph Johnson (Excavator Operator) Keith “Marty” Ramsey (on Tug) Peter Wadelton (Boat Operator) Michael Lake, Che Daniels and Daniel Engel.
Members of St. Catherine of Siena’s Hospital receiving the award: Paul J. Rowland, St. Catherine of Siena’s Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer and Mickel Khlat, DO, St. Catherine of Siena’s Chief Medical Officer and Nurse Manager Robert Hackmack.
“When I arrived at the hospital, I was astonished at the level of care and attention given to the crew. It was literally all hands on deck. The staff at St. Catherines went above and beyond extraordinary measures to treat my officers and the parks employees as if they were family. I am forever in debt for the extraordinary team of Emergency Department physicians and clinicians, who are responsible for giving my officers exceptional care.” – Chief John Valentine, Smithtown Public Safety
About the Incident:
Three members of the Smithtown Public Safety Waterways & Navigation Division and two parks employees were rescued by seven workers from Gibson & Cushman Contracting on December 12th, 2017 when dangerous currents overturned their vessel on the Nissequogue River. Emergency protocols were executed. Members of the dredging crew saw the crew go into the water and acted immediately. They helped four of the five member crew out of the water. The fifth member swam to shore. Because of their bravery and fast action, all on board the bay constable boat survived the dangerous water temperatures.
The staff at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital worked diligently to treat the men for hypothermia and exposure. Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Paul J. Rowland was alerted to the incident and personally aided in coordinating communications between Public Safety and the hospital. Chief Medical Officer Mickel Khlat, DO, Emergency Medicine Dr. Robert Taglienti, Robert Hackmack, Nurse Manager, and Emergency Department physicians and clinicians ensured optimal care for the injured Officers.