First responders win recognition

Members of the Vista Fire Department, South Salem Fire Department, and Westchester EMS were recognized during the 2026 Westchester County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association convention in Ardsley on Sept. 17 with the 2026 Firefighter of the Year Award Unit Citation for their coordinated response to the June 22 structure fire and mayday rescue on Elmwood Road.

During the June 22 incident, a mayday was transmitted after a firefighter fell from the first floor into the basement of the residence. Firefighters from Vista and South Salem worked together to locate and remove the firefighter from the basement before the firefighter was transferred to EMS personnel for evaluation and transport to the hospital. 

The firefighter was later released.

The coordinated rescue operations were selected for the 2026 Firefighter of the Year Award Unit Citation.

Members and representatives of the Vista Fire Department, South Salem Fire Department and Westchester EMS after the presentation of the 2026 Firefighter of the Year Award Unit Citation at the Westchester County Volunteer Firefighters Association Convention.

Firefighter of the Year Unit Citation award winners

Vista Fire Department

• Captain Marc Baiocco 

• Lead Foreman Ryan Ruggiero

• Assistant Chief Brian Porco

• Foreman Martin Rojas

• Firefighter Dominick Mangone

• Firefighter David Fignar

• Lieutenant Elly Hersam

• Foreman Daniel Hochman

• Probationary Firefighter Jared Richardson

• Foreman Grant Vialardi

• Firefighter/EMT Andrew Korman

• Firefighter/EMT Ashtin Rama

South Salem Fire Department

• Chief Matt Yorke

• Assistant Chief Mike Davison

• Lieutenant Anthony Mendola

• Lieutenant Scott Schoenberg

• Firefighter John Winter

• Firefighter Anthony Carelli

• Firefighter Trevor Caviola

• Ex-Chief Mike DeVito

• Ex-Chief Tom Beck

• Ex-Chief Mike Lombardi

Westchester EMS

• Paramedic Abigail Mascia