The Nassau County Fire Commission honored twenty-three individual fire fighters, including three members of the Syosset Volunteer Fire Department (SFD), and two Nassau County fire departments for acts of valor and outstanding service to their communities during its annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 at the County Supreme Court Building in Mineola. In addition, three private citizens and a Nassau County Police Officer were also recognized for selfless acts on behalf of others.

"Tonight is an evening of recognition and honor to celebrate those members of the fire service who went above and beyond the call of duty," said Fire Commission Chairman Peter S. Williams.

Syosset Chief Christian Pieper, Captain Kenneth Johnson and Lieutenant Buddy Mianulli were among the nine fire fighters who received the Silver Medal of Valor for enduring "great personal risk" in the course of their efforts to save the lives of others.

Chief Pieper, Capt. Johnson and Lt. Mianulli were among the first fire fighters to arrive at the scene of a fast moving fire in a home on Marlene Drive shortly after 8 p.m. on June 10 of last year. The initial call to the fire department had reported people trapped including an elderly invalid. As other fire fighters began to access a water source and ventilate the structure, Chief Pieper, followed by Capt. Johnson and Lt. Mianulli, entered the split-level home and began an interior search for the reported victims. Chief Pieper located one victim in a second floor bedroom and carried the person out to the front lawn where EMS personnel began resuscitation efforts. Capt. Johnson located an additional victim in another second floor bedroom and, together with Lt. Mianulli, removed the victim to the front lawn for treatment and transportation to the hospital.

This is not the first time that Chief Pieper and Capt. Johnson have been cited for bravery. Several years back, Chief Pieper was presented with a commendation from the Nassau County Police Commissioner's office for breaking up an armed robbery near the Hicksville train station while enroute to his job at the Long Island Rail Road. Capt. Johnson, a member of the SFD for several decades and a former Chief of Department, has received four previous citations for bravery from the Fire Commission. Lt. Mianulli comes from a family with a long history of dedication to the fire service both here in Syosset and in the county.

The Nassau County Fire Commission is made up of nine Commissioners representing the nine fire battalions in the county. They are charged with assessing fire protection needs, adoption of Fire Prevention Ordinances and acting as representatives of the fire service to the county executive and the Nassau County Legislature. The Nassau County Fire Commission has been bestowing Medals of Valor since 1982.

The Syosset Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1915 and is composed of 125 men and women from Syosset and surrounding areas. The department serves an approximately 17 square mile district, with the largest response area in Nassau County. The district's fleet has 11 pieces of fire fighting apparatus and four chief's cars.

For information about becoming a member of the Syosset Volunteer Fire Department, contact the office of the chief of department at 921-0728 or visit the SFD website at www.syossetfd.org. For fire safety information, contact Ken Johnson at the Fire Prevention Office at 677-4509.