Senator Fuschillo Presents Liberty Medals to Two Local First Responders for Their Life-Saving Efforts in Haiti

Photo caption: Senator Fuschillo (right) and Assemblyman Saladino (left) present the New York State Senate Liberty Medal to James Sandas (left center) and Steven Miller (right center) for their efforts to rescue victims of the Haiti earthquake.     

New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) and Assemblyman Joseph Saladino (R-Massapequa) today presented the New York State Senate Liberty Medal to James Sandas and Steven Miller for their efforts to save lives in Haiti following the devastating earthquake there earlier this year. 

            Both Mr. Sandas, a member of the FDNY and resident of Massapequa Park, and Mr. Miller, a member of the NYPD and Massapequa resident, are part of New York Task Force 1, Urban Search and Rescue Team which conducted rescue operations in Haiti following the earthquake. As members of the team, Mr. Sandas and Mr. Miller spent ten days in Port au Prince trying to locate and rescue victims who were trapped under rubble from collapsed buildings. Several individuals were saved and brought to safety as a result of their efforts. 

            “Both James Sandas and Steven Miller volunteered to leave the safety and comfort of their homes and risk their lives to rescue victims of the Haiti earthquake. Their efforts, along with those of the other members of the team, resulted in lives being saved. They are true heroes who are most deserving of this honor. I am pleased to thank them for their efforts,” said Senator Fuschillo. 

            The New York State Senate Liberty Medal is one of the highest civilian honors that a New York resident can receive.  It is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts and achievements.

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