Golden's Bridge Deputy Fire Chief honored for heroism

GOLDENS BRIDGE, N.Y. - State Sen. Pete Harckham joined the Golden's Bridge Fire Department’s monthly Board of Fire Commissioners meeting on Oct. 20 to present longtime department member and Deputy Chief Robert Melillo with a New York State Commendation Award and Senate proclamation recognizing his bravery.

Earlier this year, Melillo performed two heroic acts while off duty. In March, he intervened to help a motorist who had fallen asleep at the wheel on Interstate 684, preventing a potentially fatal situation.

Just one month later, while traveling on the same highway, Melillo spotted smoke billowing from the cab of a tow truck responding to a minor collision. He quickly put on his firefighting gear, grabbed a portable fire extinguisher and extinguished the flames in just 90 seconds, preventing the fire from reaching the truck’s gas tank and potentially spreading to nearby brush.

Article courtesy of the Office of Sen. Pete Harckham.