Celebration to Honor Volunteer Firefighters Announced

Suffolk County elected officials, including Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter, want to thank the dedicated volunteers who risked their lives to tame the recent wildfires.

To that end, town supervisors and other officials joined Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko, and John Carraciolo, president of JVC Broadcasting, for a press event they convened at the Brookhaven Ampitheater on Thursday to announce a “Volunteer Emergency Services Appreciation Day," to be held on May 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Brookhaven Amphitheater.

The event will include a free rock and country themed concert, activities and games, and will be dedicated to the volunteer emergency services workers who helped to contain the on April 9 and 10. Sponsors include JVC Broadcasting, towns, and private firms.

"Riverhead is proud to be a sponsor of the Volunteer Emergency Services Appreciation Day to honor the men and women who worked around the clock to heroically battle the dangerous brush fires earlier this week. I thank them for their bravery every day," said Walter.

“It’s always appropriate to thank those who volunteered their time, effort and lives to keep us safe and protect our property," added Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine.

Bellone said the day to honor first responders is well deserved. "The valiant efforts of our fire fighters and emergency responders helped to save people’s lives and homes."

Manorville Fire Chief Elio Zapparrata said he looked foward to the event and thanked everyone who helped his department contain the blaze.