Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilman Ed Ambrosino, Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin and Town Clerk Mark Bonilla recently presented Stewart Manor Fire Department Chief Ronald Sopp with a Town of Hempstead Firematic Award Medal.

An active member of the Stewart Manor Fire Department for 21 years, Chief Sopp has held a variety of positions, including his current position as chief. In the last two years, Chief Sopp has been involved in four lifesaving incidents, including the successful resuscitation of a premature infant. He has also answered countless fire calls while upholding all the duties of department chief, including the weighty responsibilities of maintaining the safety and morale of an entire department.

Under Chief Sopp's direction, the department's EMS squad has been recognized with two very prestigious awards, the "Nassau County EMS Agency of the Year" award and the "New York State EMS Agency of the Year" award.

Chief Sopp is also involved in running Operation Wounded Warrior, an organization dedicated to helping the country's wounded soldiers. Chief Sopp has arranged for members of over 20 fire departments to travel to naval hospitals in Maryland to visit with returning troops this month.