VIDEO: East Meadow Responders Honored for Saving Former Clarke Student

For one former student, the message was simple...thank you.

That's what Tom McGowan, 82, and his thankful family wanted to say to the responders that helped bring him back to life after his heart stopped beating while he was working out at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow on April 24.

"I once applied to be a firefighter in East Meadow when I was younger, but I was turned away because I lived in Westbury," McGowan said. "I am just happy I didn't get rejected again."

According to East Meadow Fire Chief Carl Pugliese, lifeguards from the facility used an external defibrillator and began resuscitation efforts on McGowan until the East Meadow Fire Department arrived. Once on scene, the rescue crew, led by Lt. Giovanni Bautista, took over and they were able to restart McGowan's heart and breathing.

Bautista, as well as many other men and women, were honored for that heroic save, as well as many other accomplishments that they have had in the past year at the fifth annual brunch held at on Sunday.

"Today, as chief of the department, I am going to bestow upon you honorary membership," Pugliese said to McGowan.

Here is a round-up of the day's award recipients.

Excellent Duty Award

Criteria: East Meadow Fire Department pre-hospital care provider who has performed an act worthy of recognition for its excellence in performance of duty.

Recipient: Ex-Captain Thomas Sanginario, for his actions in the Jose Valdebenito rescue incident.

Above and Beyond Award

Criteria: Member of the East Meadow Fire Department who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to pre-hospital care excellence an the advancement of EMS in the Department.

Recipient: Captain Robert Salvesen, Sr.

Pre-Hospital Save Award

Criteria: Members of the East Meadow Fire Department who successfully resuscitated a patient that was clinically dead (cardio-pulmonary arrest) when the patient survived with restoration of vital signs to emergency department admission.

Recipients: Rescue 4: Lieutenant Giovanni Bautista, Ex-Captain/EMT Thomas Sanginaro; Fire Medics: Paul Grech, Luis Mendez, LouAnne Mueller; Firefiighter/EMT: Bruce Newberg; 6199: Lieutenant/EMT Jon Haber, Firefighter/EMT Daniel Corr.

First Responder Award

Criteria: Bystander who responded by intelligently providing life-saving on-scene assistance prior to the arrival of professional rescuers, and/or initiating the EMS system response resulting in a pre-hospital save.

Recipients: Nassau County Lifeguards Ryan Castles, Neil Rudin and Steven Turkovich.

EMS Week 2011 Appreciation Award

Criteria: An organization of individuals unrelated to the East Meadow Fire department that consistently demonstrates loyalty and support to the community and the advancement of emergency medical services.

Recipient: State Senator Kemp Hannon.