By Andrew Hackmack
Members of each company were also recognized at the Valley Stream Fire Department's sixth annual awards ceremony at the Cochran Place Firehouse.
On the evening of June 13, the department was called out to a house fire at Morris Parkway and Wheeler Avenue. Three firefighters who live in the area, Kenneth McHugh, William Kirkham and Edward Donoghue, went directly to the house, and found two people trapped on the second floor. They were able to pull the couple to safety before the first fire truck arrived.
McHugh, who lives two houses down, heard the call and ran down the street. He saw the people calling for help from a second-floor window. McHugh said he kicked down the front door and tried to rescue the couple. "The heat and smoke was too much," he said. "I couldn't get to them."
Kirkham saw a contractor's van driving by and flagged the driver down. He and McHugh grabbed a ladder from the roof of the van and raised it to the window. Kirkham held the ladder as McHugh and Donoghue climbed up and pulled the couple to safety.
"It's just a good feeling to be able to help someone," said Kirkham, a 40-year veteran of the department and a former chief. "You can replace the house."
After saving the couple, the three firefighters went to work fighting the fire. Kirkham said that by that point, there was heavy fire in the back of the house, and a propane barbecue nearby was starting to go up in flames. They were able to put that out with a garden hose and move it away from the house before it got any worse.
"When the fire happened, everybody just jumped into action and did what we had to do," said Kirkham, who worked the command post for the rest of the evening.
McHugh's mother, Barbara, said she is not the least bit surprised by her son's actions. She said that ever since he was a child, he has always been concerned with helping other people. He joined the junior firefighters as an adolescent, is an Eagle Scout and works as a Suffolk County police officer, in addition to his 18 years with the fire department. "That's just his personality, he's a helper," she said.
The three firefighters were presented with both the Class B Meritorious Award and Certificates of Merit. Recommending them for the honor was Eugene O'Brien, captain of Ladder 345 and the incident commander that evening. Sunday's master of ceremonies, Tim Waring, read O'Brien's nominating letter.
"If it was not for the quick actions of these three men," O'Brien wrote, "I strongly believe this quick spreading fire would have seriously injured or killed the occupants trapped inside."
As part of the ceremony, each of the department's seven companies recognized a member for his dedication. Kirkham and McHugh were honored by Engine Company No. 2.
William Howley Sr. received the company award for Ladder 345. He has been a member of the department for 50 years, having served as chief in 1977. Howley also played an integral part in planning the department's 100th anniversary celebration in 1998. Waring noted that Howley still stops at the firehouse every Sunday morning.
Engine Company No. 1 honored Andrew Mihalick Jr., a member of the department since 2002. He has served as his company's treasurer, sat on numerous committees and been instrumental in training new members of the department.
Honorary chief and 40-year member Raymond Martini was recognized by Engine Company No. 3. He became a life member of the department in 1993, and has two sons who belong to the Oceanside Fire Department.
The department's chief, Antonio Nuzzi, was selected as the honoree in Engine Company No. 4. He joined the department in 1995 and began to move through ranks in 1998, becoming his company's recording secretary. He served as lieutenant, captain, second assistant chief and first assistant chief before being chosen to head the department in April. Nuzzi was honored with the department's Life Saving Award in 2003 for helping to rescue a woman from her burning Carroll Avenue home.
Brendan Cussen was honored by Ladder 346, a truck he has been riding to fires for 22 years. He has served as captain and lieutenant of his company, and is currently the truck's warden.
The Rescue Company presented its award to Michael Zervos, who is serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq. His brother Greg accepted the award on his behalf. Zervos, a lifelong resident of Valley Stream, has been with the department for six years. Even while in training in Iraq, he offered input into the design of the new rescue truck, which hit the road a few months ago.
Longtime Ladies Auxiliary member Joanne Menzies was honored for her role with the support organization. She has been with the group since 1969, and has served as president twice. She is chairwoman of the Third Battalion Ladies Auxiliary.
The Junior Firefighters award went to Robert Laserinko, who has been with the group since 2006. He was recognized for his outstanding attitude and dedication to the juniors, including attending all of the group's functions and meetings.
Valley Stream Mayor Ed Cahill helped present all of the awards, and praised the efforts of the firefighters. Cahill said that one of the greatest honors he has received was being named an honorary chief. "The fire department has a great history in Valley Stream," he said. "I'm glad to be a small part of it."
Comments about this story? AHackmack@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
