Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo and Councilman Tom Lohmann presented proclamations to three Smithtown residents during the Smithtown Fire Chiefs Council annual awards dinner. Two Firefighters and one local civilian received proclamations for their bravery in the face of grave danger and under extraordinary circumstances.
Hauppauge Firefighter Steve Matteo was honored for pulling a man from a burning SUV, when he heard the loud crash from his lawn in July of 2017. A civilian bystander, Edmond Quinones assisted Matteo in removing the victim from the SUV. If it wasn’t for the selfless acts of both firefighter and good samaritan, the victim would likely have succumbed to the blaze. The two men also received the Bronze Medal award, bestowed by the Smithtown Fire Chiefs Council.
Ex-Captain Kevin Pearsall of Engine Company 3 was the recipient of the Silver Medal, presented by the Smithtown Fire Chiefs Council. In May of 2017, Pearsall heard a loud explosion from his home. Pearsall entered a private two-story dwelling and assisted a female victim out of the smoke-filled home. The explosion was caused by three propane tanks exploding on the property.
Supervisor Ed Wehrheim presented each proclamation and thanked all three men for their actions which went above and beyond the call of duty.
“Tonight, we take the time to say thank you and pay homage for your heroism, selfless nature and for preserving life at all costs. It is my distinguished pleasure to be among each and every one of you. You are what makes the town of Smithtown such an extraordinary place to call home.” – Supervisor Ed Wehrheim
Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo and Councilman Tom Lohmann attend the Fire Chiefs Council as regular members. Both council members have been longtime advocates of the first responders community as survivors of the September 11th, 2001 attacks.