EM Fire Chief Earns Firematic Award For Saving Baby's Life

When a distraught neighbor rang his doorbell for help, East Meadow fire chief Walter Griffin, Jr. sprung into action.

The neighbor's 10-month-old son had stopped breathing.

Chief Griffin immediately alerted the East Meadow Fire Department and began infant CPR. After three rounds of back blows and chest compressions, the child responded and began breathing on his own. The department's medical director, Dr. Zaso, also responded, not realizing the child was a patient in his private practice.

The Town of Hempstead recognized Chief Griffin's heroic actions during this year's Firematic Awards ceremony.

"Like doctors and police officers, firefighters are always on call. You never know when an emergency is going to pop up," supervisor Kate Murray said. "For demonstrating the bravery of a firefighter and the skill of a surgeon, Hempstead Town is proud to present Chief Walter Griffin, Jr. of the East Meadow Fire Department with the 2013 Firematic Award."

Following the incident, Dr. Zaso said, “If it were not for the rapid and skillful care Chief Griffin rendered to the child, the incident would have had a fatal outcome. I cannot commend Chief Griffin more for his lifesaving work.”

Chief Griffin was among 33 honorees - firefighters and EMTs from 15 Nassau County fire departments - who were honored at this year's ceremony.

Eighteen Island Park firefighters who fought through several feet of floodwaters and high winds to rescue neighbors from a fast-moving fire that broke out during Superstorm Sandy nearly one year ago were also recognized, as were firefighters from East Rockaway, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Freeport, Lakeview, Levittown, Lynbrook, Mineola, Point Lookout/Lido, Rockville Centre, Seaford, Westbury and Woodmere.

"The work schedule for these volunteers is difficult for those of us outside fire service to comprehend: it's 24-7. Whether it's three o'clock in the morning, these volunteers are at the ready to serve," Murray said. "These men and women are ready whether it is an unexpected ring of the doorbell on an ordinary autumn evening or fighting through rising flood waters and 80-mile-per-hour winds during a storm of epic proportions."