Schmitt salutes first responders

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GOSHEN – Sixteen first responders and one first responder group were honored Monday evening by Assemblyman Colin Schmitt in his inaugural 99th Assembly District Salute to First Responders.

Schmitt wanted to give a shout-out to those who give of themselves to serve the community.

“These are men and women who run toward danger when everyone else is running away,” he said. “These first responders are our heroes; they haven’t sought praise and thanks, but they have certainly earned it.”

Among those saluted with an award was the late Raymond Phillips, who was posthumously presented with the Salute to First Responder Award. He was a first responder at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He was a past chief of the South Blooming Grove Fire Department and served as a member of FDNY, Rescue 3, in the Bronx for 26 years until his retirement in 2003.

Jay Jonas of the Village of Goshen was honored for his 40 year with FDNY. He is one of 22 who survived the collapse of the North Tower during the WTC attacks.

Also honored were:

  • Brian Carey, a member of the South Blooming Grove Fire Department and a member of FDNY during the 9/11 attacks serving in Squad 61.
  • Deana Santosky-Wright, a member of the Town of Chester Police Department and an active member of the US Army.
  • John Deshler of the Village of Chester, former Chester postmaster, 911 communications dispatcher for Orange County, and a 60-year member of the Walton Engine and Hose Company #1 in Chester.
  • Timothy McCarty of the Town of Cornwall, retired from the West Point Fire Department, a member of Storm King Engine Company #2, Cornwall and New Windsor Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
  • George Lyons of the Town of Goshen, a member of the Goshen Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
  • James Ballard of the Town of Hamptonburgh, a long-time member of the Otterkill Fire District and Campbell Hall Fire Department.
  • Don Smith of the Town of Highland, a former member of the Accord Fire Department and later the Fort Montgomery Fire Department.
  • Arla James of Highland Falls, a member of the Highland Falls Fire Department, received the Salute to First Responders Recognition. She was born in the Philippines, met and married her husband, Tony, moved to the United States, became a US citizen and later became a Highland Falls firefighter.
  • Matthew Monahan, a member of the New Windsor Police Department, received Salute to First Responder Recognition. He began his law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and later transferred to New Windsor PD.
  • Nicholas Attolino of the Town of Stony Point was honored as a member of the Wayne Hose Co. Fire Department where he is currently chief. He is also a certified master rescue diver and a member of the swift water rescue team.
  • Charles Martin of the Village of Washingtonville is a member of the village police department and the school resource officer at Washingtonville High School. He began his law enforcement career in 1997 as a member of the NYPD and served during the 9/11 attacks.
  • Halsey Decker of the Town of Wawayanda is a member of the Wawayanda Volunteer Department and has been Orange County deputy fire coordinator for the past 26 years.
  • Michael Gironda of the Town of Woodbury was a town police dispatcher, a post he has held for 17 years. He was also a member of the Montgomery Fire Department where he now serves as president and safety officer. He is also an Orange County 911 dispatcher.
  • Ben Conques of the Village of Woodbury served with Woodbury Community Ambulance for 38 years and s a Woodbury EMS, having responded to over 5,500 emergencies.

The District Organization Nominee is the New York City Retired Firefighters of Orange County, the fraternal organization that actively advocates for FDNY retirees and their families.




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