Suffolk County legislators honored 18 emergency medical service professionals during a ceremony marking EMS Appreciation Week at the William H. Rogers Legislative Building in Hauppauge.
Hosted by Legislator Dominick Thorne, chairman of the Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Committee, the event recognized first responders from every legislative district for lifesaving work performed daily across Suffolk County.
“It’s a privilege to celebrate the incredible life-saving efforts of these highly trained and dedicated emergency services workers,” Thorne said. “EMS personnel are ever ready, ever responding, always with professionalism, empathy and care.”
Thorne noted his honoree, John Skippon, participated in 26 cardiac resuscitations, a choking rescue and assisted in two births during his career in emergency services
Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo praised his honoree, Ryan Stahl of the Holbrook Fire Department, calling him “a dedicated and highly experienced Emergency Medical Technician” with numerous lifesaving awards earned during emergency responses.
Honorees included Gavin McQuade of the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps; Taylor K. Vecsey of the Bridgehampton Fire Department; Steven Januszkiewicz of the Mastic Fire Department; Nicholas Mangogna of the Selden Fire Department; Diane Gardiner of the Setauket Fire Department; Alyssa Corona of the Middle Island Fire Department; John Skippon of Patchogue Ambulance Company; Ryan Stahl of the Holbrook Fire Department; Matthew Pasieka and Emily Cassar of the Central Islip-Hauppauge Volunteer Ambulance Corps; Jon Michel of Bay Shore-Brightwaters Rescue Ambulance Corps; Tricia Higgins of the Smithtown Fire Department; Jennifer Carney of the St. James Fire Department; Lucas Ramalho of the Babylon Fire Department; Carlos Saravia of the North Amityville Fire Company; Esteban Lopez and Mark Brenner of Huntington Community First Aid Squad; and Roger Ketchum Jr. of the Halesite Fire Department.
County officials said Suffolk emergency agencies handled nearly 300,000 calls during 2025, with roughly 185,000 involving EMS incidents.