Local hero gets vaccinated

The Freeport Fire Department’s own Assistant Chief Scott Donnelly was the first first responder to receive the Covid-19 vaccine at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on Dec. 23. 

MSSN was distributing the vaccine to hometown heroes in Freeport, Bellmore, North Bellmore, Lynbrook, Lawrence-Cedarhurt, Oceanside and other local communities. 

As the second assistant chief at the Freeport Fire Department, Donnelly recalls all the times he’s come across those suffering from the coronavirus. 

The Freeport Fire Department has been at the forefront of the village’s Covid-19 response efforts, with members serving on the Coronavirus Task Force and keeping track of the infection rate during the pandemic. 

Freeport continues to be the third-hardest hit community in Nassau County, with more than 3,300 confirmed cases as of Jan. 4, according to the County Department of Health. 

Donnelly said it was important for residents to feel comfortable accepting the vaccine, so he was more than happy to take it himself to assure others that it was safe for them to do the same. 

“It’s time for Freeport to put this to bed,” Donnelly said. “I know there’s skepticism about it, but we need to step forward and put an end to this.”