Goldens Bridge deputy fire chief honored

Goldens Bridge Deputy Fire Chief Robert Melillo has been presented with a New York State Commendation Award and Senate Proclamation in recognition of his extraordinary bravery. State Sen. Pete Harckham joined the monthly Board of Commissioners meeting Oct. 20 to make the presentations. 

According to a statement from Harckham’s office, earlier this year, Melillo performed two heroic acts while off duty. In March, he intervened to help a motorist who was asleep at the wheel on Interstate 684, preventing a potentially fatal situation. Just one month later, while traveling the same highway, he spotted smoke billowing from the cab of a tow truck responding to a fender bender. He quickly donned his gear, grabbed a portable fire extinguisher and knocked down the flames in just 90 seconds, preventing the fire from reaching the truck’s fuel tank and potentially spreading to nearby brush. Pictured are Harckham, Melillo and Melillo’s wife, Melanie. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO