Santoro recognized for 70 years in the EMFD

Ex-Chief Dominick Santoro was honored for his 70 years of service to the East Meadow Fire Department at the Town of Hempstead 2011 Firematic Service Awards ceremony last Thursday.

The petite man of few words simply said, “I am deeply moved.” A proud ex-military man, Santoro joined the EMFD at 18 years old and remains an active member.

Throughout the years, Santoro served as Lieutenant and Captain and was a two-term chief and a two-term fire commissioner.

Ex-chief Santoro authored the department’s standard operation procedures that have become a foundational component of daily firematic service. As explained by Chief Carl Pugliese, Santoro wrote the guidelines on how to react when responding to fires and 75 to 80 percent of his procedures still exist today.

Santoro is also responsible for the addition of Ladder Company 2 that has now been around for more than 50 years. “He knew the company was growing,” said Chief Pugliese. “He had the foresight to react.”

To date, Santoro remains an active and admired member of the EMFD. Part of a true firematic family, Santoro’s wife of 64 years, Fran Santoro, has also been a valued addition to the Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary.

“Santoro is quiet, calm, reserved and a real leader at the same time. He really does lead by example,” Pugliese said.

Twenty-four individuals were honored at the ceremony for their heroic rescues and courageous deeds or for their decades of service and continued dedication to their departments and communities.