East Meadow fire department recognizes chiefs for their heroic actions

The East Meadow Fire Department honored two of its members, Chief James Walsh, and 3rd Assistant Chief Jeffrey Rosenthal, who received citations from Tom McKevitt, Steve Rhoads and Bruce Blakeman for extraordinary service to the community. They were recognized for their actions at the department’s March 3 meeting.

Walsh and Rosenthal saved a woman from a house fire. Rosenthal saved fellow member Louis Lopiccolo from choking using the Heimlich maneuver. New York State Representative Tom McKevitt presented the citations, because the other two politicians couldn’t be there.

“In 30 years, you go to a lot of fires, a lot of reports of victims in the house, but usually they’re out by the time you get there,” Rosenthal said.

Walsh and Rosenthal arrived on the scene three minutes after the fire was reported. An older woman sent her daughter out of the house, because she couldn’t walk out on her own and the daughter couldn’t carry her all the way down the stairs.

When Walsh and Rosenthal found her, she “was bleeding from multiple abrasions and was coughing forcefully from smoke inhalation,” according to the application for the Fire Meritorious Award.

They put her on a chair and carried her out the front door.

“I’ve actually spoken to her a couple times after the fire, and she’s doing well,” Walsh said.

Rosenthal was also honored for a second heroic act. One night in November, various members of the fire department were eating dinner together in the firehouse. Lopiccolo was choking on his food and gave the signal to the other members. Rosenthal saved his life.

“Chief Rosenthal sprung into action and did the Heimlich for Louie Lopiccolo,” said 1st Assistant Chief Mike Wood. “And that’s why Louie’s still here.”

Rosenthal is pleased with the outcome of both situations.

“I feel great,” Rosenthal said. “Both people went home. The one lady went to the hospital, was treated and discharged. She’s alive and well and living her life. Same thing for the member of my company in my department. No complications from it, he didn’t need to get transported, he was okay.”

Walsh has been chief of the department for eight years. He’s been at the East Meadow Ladder Company for 35 years.

“(The best thing is) just the brotherhood, the camaraderie,” Walsh said. “Anytime you need anything, it’s a big family. We all get along. Once something happens to somebody, everybody jumps in to help you. It’s a lot of fun.”

He also appreciates being honored.

“It’s nice to be recognized once in a while when you do something good,” Walsh said.

Rosenthal has transferred through multiple fire departments across the island as he moved over the years, since starting as a cadet at 13. He’s been in East Meadow for 15 years.

“It’s a lot of satisfaction,” Rosenthal said. “I enjoyed today as I did the day I joined. I’m proud. It’s nice to be able to give back to my community.”

Wood is incredibly happy to have both of them in his department.

“Chief Walsh is like an older brother,” Wood said. “I know Chief Walsh since I’m 14 years old, when he was in charge of us my first term in the fire department. Chief Rosenthal transferred over to us, and it was the best thing to happen to Engine 3. We call him the Energizer Bunny. He doesn’t stop.”

Tom McKevitt expressed the sentiments of the community when he presented the citations.

“You go in there risking your lives, which again you think nothing about doing,” McKevitt said. “And it makes a big difference.”