The Town of Hempstead is proud of its corps of lifeguards hired and trained each year to protect the lives of the thousands of our residents who frequent our 23 swimming pools and two miles of ocean beaches along the south shore's Lido Strip. Their training is intensive and inclusive and they learn to handle just about any lifesaving situation that may come their way.

This summer, five of our lifeguards distinguished themselves in two separate incidents, and for their selfless and heroic actions, we are extremely proud.

On July 5, the Monday marking the end of the long holiday weekend, two of our guards, Ryan Grassini and Rocky Zellman, headed home after another hot and crowded day at the beach. As they drove north on the Meadowbrook Parkway, their car was cut off by another vehicle, later proven to have been driven by an intoxicated driver, causing their car to spin out of control. Their car came to rest without striking any of the nearby trees. Despite being shaken by the experience, they were then able to turn their attention to the plight of the occupants in the car that caused the accident and rolled down an embankment. Responding quickly, they scrambled down the embankment to find the other car upside down with one occupant trapped inside. Disregarding their own personal safety, they struggled to move the car, shifting it enough to crawl in and free the occupant. They were able to get everyone to safety and await police and fire department assistance.

In another act of bravery, beach guards Lt. Nicholas Palamidessi, lifeguard Brendan Lamar and rookie lifeguard Peter Crescitelli were sitting on their stands at Civic Beach on July 31, when they observed a man running towards their stand calling out to the lifeguards for help. The man proved to be the father of a 21-month old child whose airway was fully blocked, and although she was still conscious, was not breathing.

Calling upon his experience and training, Nick Palamidessi used obstructed airway techniques to dislodge a pretzel which had caused the airway to become obstructed. This act allowed for spontaneous breathing to begin. Nick continued to monitor the progress of the child, while Brendan, who had been calming the distraught father, call for emergency medical help to respond and evaluate. Peter Crescitelli needed to remain on his stand and do the job of three lifeguards by keeping his eye on the other swimmers at the beach.

EMT response found that the child had immediately returned to normal health with no further signs of respiratory distress.

For their heroic actions we recognized these lifeguards recently at Hempstead Town Hall and presented them with certificates for their meritorious service.

On behalf of all the members of the Hempstead Town Board, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our lifeguards for their service to the Town of Hempstead each and every day, and for their hard work, tenacity, and dedication.