3 LVFD Members Honored at Law & Order Night

The Locust Valley American Legion held their annual Law & Order night on April 20 to honor not only their own members for their years of service to the organization, but also to honor local firefighters and police officers for their heroism and community service. The Locust Valley Fire Department had the distinction of recognizing 3 of our members at this event. One for his dedicated service to not only the fire department, but also the community of Locust Valley and the other two, for their joint effort in saving the victim of a serious auto accident. Read an excerpt of Chief Jeff Baker's speech regarding the actions of these fine individuals.

CAPTAIN ANDREW AKAPNITIS

The Jack Turner Award, given out annually to a Locust Valley firefighter, symbolizes the service that Jack Turner gave to the fire department and our community. Captain Andrew Akapnitis embodies the spirit of this award to the fullest extent with his commitment to the Locust Valley Fire Department. Andrew joined the department in December 2001 and dove head first into learning all he could about how to be a good firefighter. In his time with the department, he has amassed over 100 training hours while also serving on and chairing numerous department committees. He has risen through the ranks of Hose Co. #1 where he has served as 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and currently as Captain, a position he was recently elected to by his company members in March. He is constantly mentoring our younger members who look up to him for his knowledge and experience as a firefighter. Andrew has proven to be a strong leader and he represents the future of this department.
To realize the amount of hours Andrew puts into the department, one must understand that we are all volunteers who work full-time jobs, like Andrew who is a school Guidance Counselor by day dealing with teenagers and solving their daily problems. After work Andrew dedicates much of his down time to the department as Chairman of our Annual Fund drive which is a vital part of our annual budget. He also chairs the department’s Recruitment and Retention committee to drive new memberships, of which over 10 new members have resulted from his efforts in the past 2 years that the committee has been in existence. Andrew has also been an integral part of the LVFD softball team and is the chairman of the Drill team. He has also helped support local community events such as the annual LV Oktoberfest by standing by at Thomas Park with one of our engine companies and ambulance, leading the fire department’s participation in the annual community clean-up day, working with the Wounded Warrior Project raising funds for our injured troops, and finally as a volunteer in the LVHS sponsored Relay for Life.
Andrew’s commitment and dedication to the Locust Valley Fire Department is extraordinary to say the least. We are lucky to have him as a member and I am proud to recommend him for this award tonight.

LIEUTENANT THOMAS WINSLOW & FIREFIGHTER JOHN DEMBOWSKI

Thursday December 13, 2007 was an overcast day with a light rain falling, just enough to make the roads slick. At approximately 12:30 pm a serious auto accident involving two vehicles was reported at the intersection of Bayville Road and Meleny Road. LVFD Lt. Thomas Winslow, traveling behind one of the automobiles involved while on his lunch break as a teacher at the Mill Neck Manor School, was first to arrive on scene. Lt. Winslow quickly assessed the two drivers involved and discovered one driver, a 17 year old student from Locust Valley High School, unconscious and was not breathing. He immediately cut her seat belt that was restricting her breathing and provided in-line stabilization of her neck and spine, which dramatically improved her airway. Firefighter John Dembowski was also in the area when the call was reported and responded directly to the scene. He assisted Lt. Winslow in stabilizing the young victim and remained with her as she was transported to Nassau University Medical Center by the Nassau County Police Ambulance. Locust Valley Ambulance 541 transported the second patient to North Shore Glen Cove Hospital.
For their quick thinking in stabilizing the victim and clearing her airway, which no doubt saved her life; I am honored to recommend Lt. Thomas Winslow and FF John Dembowski for this award tonight.