Riverhead marks National EMS Week with award ceremony at Town Hall

Riverhead officials marked National EMS Week Monday evening at Town Hall with an awards ceremony recognizing Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Stony Brook EMS and Riverhead Police Department members for five CPR saves made this year so far.

Supervisor Tim Hubbard welcomed the first responders, their family and friends who filled the Town Hall meeting room for the ceremony, congratulating the award recipients for their “incredible work” to save lives in the community.

“It’s just really a great thing that Riverhead has such good coverage from all of our public services, with our fire departments, EMS and police,” Hubbard said.

Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps President Garrett Lake described the saves and called out the names of the EMS and police department officers who worked together to make them.

Lake spoke of the importance of “teamwork between the police department, EMS and fire.” The public is often unaware of the critical role of police in lifesaving EMS work, Lake said. “Without police getting on scene, starting CPR, starting that chain of survival, updating us to what we have there. That is what saves lives,” Lake said.

Lake read a brief narrative about each save. RVAC Chief Jacob Phillips and Riverhead Police Chief Ed Frost distributed the award certificates.

Feb. 28: 98-year-old woman in cardiac arrest

“On Feb. 28, 2025, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps was dispatched to a 98- year-old female in cardiac arrest. Upon EMS arrival, the woman was sitting in her wheelchair, pulseless and apneic. The patient was then moved to the floor where CPR was initiated. Upon inspection of the patient’s mouth and airway, it was found that the patient had an airway obstruction. Shortly after the obstruction was cleared, CPR and other ALS interventions, ROSC was achieved. After a month-long stay in the hospital,
the patient was discharged home,” Lake said.

Honorees:

Rachael Accurso RVAC	PO Matthew Sullivan RPOD
Jaimie Aichroth RVAC	PO William Stevens RPD
Laura Densing RVAC	Christopher Abed SBEMS
Patrick Gugliotta RVAC	Ryan Felice SBEMS
Angie Pazmino RVAC	Peter Kane SBEMS
PO Lauren McGuire RPD	Oliver Loaiza SBEMS
Erin Perrier RVAC	Mike Clark Student

March 29: Golfer collapses on the 18th hole

“On March 29, 2025, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps was dispatched to a report of an adult male with chest pain. The patient was on the 18th hole of the golf course when he collapsed. Bystanders began CPR prior to EMS and police arrival. Once on scene, EMS and police took over. With CPR and ALS interventions, the patient regained his pulse. Patient was then transported to the hospital and was later discharged with no neurological deficits. And that was pretty amazing,”Lake said.

Honorees:

Laura Densing RVAC	PO Michael Mowdy RPD
Marissa McNeil RVAC	PO William Leonardi RPD
Daniel Olsen RVAC	PO Bryan Boden RPD
Jacob Phillips RVAC	SGT Karli Conyers RPD
Daniel Schappert RVAC	PO Gina Falsitta

March 30: Man in cardiac arrest

“On March 30. 2025. Rivertlead Volunteer Ambulance Corps was dispatched to a report of a male with an altered mental status. When crews arrived, they found the patient in bed complaining of nausea and vomiting. The patient later went into cardiac arrest, was defibrillated once, and CPR was initiated. After approximately one minute of CPR, the patient regained his pulse. Patient was then paced, and regained consciousness. The patient was then transported to the hospital and was later discharged,” Lake said.

Honorees:

Timothy Dalton RVAC	PO Michael Mowdy RPD
Brandon Goetz RVAC	PO Lauren McGuire RPD
Marissa McNeil RVAC	PO Peter Anderson RPD
Joseph Oliver RVAC	PO Matthew Sullivan RPD
Daniel Olsen RVAC	PO Kieran Fitzgerald RPD
Angie Pazmino RVAC

April 6: Female stroke victim unresponsive and pulseless

“On April 6. 2025, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps was dispatched to a report of a stroke. When EMS and police arrived, the patient was unresponsive and when a pulse check was performed, the patient was found to be pulseless. CPR was initiated. After CPR and ALS interventions, the patient later regained her pulse and was later discharged from the hospital,” Lake said.

Honorees:

Timothy Dalton RVAC	PO William Leonardi RPD
Daniel Olsen RVAC	PO Gina Falsitta RPD
Angie Pazmino RVAC	PO James Mettrock RPD
Jacob Phillips RVAC	SGT Karli Conyers RPD

April 12: Woman pinned in vehicle after crash

“On April 12, 2025, Riverhead Ambulance Corps was dispatched to a report of the motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, patient was found to be pinned inside the vehicle, and then the crew of members were able to assess her, she was found to be pulseless. The patient was extricated from the vehicle. CPR was initiated. After CPR and ALS intervention, the patient regained her pulse. The patient was later discharged from the hospital,” Lake said.

Honorees:

John Barry RVAC	PO Matt Neknez RPD
Daniel Canavin RVAC	PO Rachel Thomas RPD
Derek Gerson RVAC	PO Jared Polak RPD
Luis Lituma-Guachichullca RVAC	PO Sabina Costantini RPD
Jeylee Lopez-Espana RVAC	SGT Chris Pendzick
Nicholas Mangogna RVAC	PO James Luppens
Juliana Sanchez RVAC	PO Joseph Ramos
Deborah Ann Suprina RVAC

Riverhead Town Council Members Ken Rothwell, Joann Waski and Bob Kern were on hand for the ceremony, along with RVAC District Manager Patrick Gugliotta.