Off Duty EMFD Officers Save Two Children From Choking

Quick thinking actions on the part of two East Meadow Fire Department volunteers, coupled with their emergency medical training, helped save the lives of two children in Nassau County in separate choking-related medical emergencies this month.

On Thursday, March 4, 2021, around 5 p.m., Lieutenant Ed Licciardo of the East Meadow Fire Department’s Company 4 was relaxing with his wife, enjoying an early dinner at a restaurant. While they were eating, a family that was seated behind them also received their food. Suddenly, a young mother jumped up and screamed, “she’s choking!” referring to a toddler who was seated in a highchair with them. The mother tried her best to perform the Heimlich maneuver, a first-aid procedure to clear an airway obstruction (or choking) caused by a foreign object, such as food. Sensing the mother’s distress, Lt. Licciardo sprang into action and offered assistance as she handed the distressed child to the off-duty volunteer firefighter.

Thanks to Lt. Licciardo’s calm and quick actions and the training he received from the East Meadow Fire Department, he successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver and dislodged the obstruction in the child’s throat. It was the first time in his career that he had to use the Heimlich maneuver on an infant/child. Afterward, Ed commented that he would never forget the sounds of the child crying and the sense of relief he felt knowing that the little girl was going to be okay after he successfully performed the life-saving technique. He also said he was happy to help and noted it was one of those moments where he was in the right place at the right time.

In another incident occurring on Saturday, March 20, Chief of Department James Walsh, while driving home from an inspection of a construction site in town, observed a car stopped on Front Street in East Meadow and noticed something looked “off.” Upon further investigation, he found a mother in the vehicle’s back seat attempting to revive her eight-year-old son, who was choking on a piece of candy. Chief Walsh immediately grabbed his medical bag from the department vehicle and radioed for an ambulance to respond directly to the scene. The 30-year veteran of EMFD’s Ladder Company #1 utilized his training and cleared the young victim’s airway by employing the Heimlich maneuver.

The EMFD’s Rescue Company # 5 responded to the scene, and by then, the child was breathing on his own. EMS transported the boy to nearby Nassau University Medical Center for medical evaluation. It was later reported that he laughed and clapped with fire department members and medical staff and had made a full recovery.

“Lt. Licciardo’s and Chief Walsh’s extensive training, coupled with their ability to remain calm in stressful situations, saved the lives of two children this month,” said Fire Commissioner John Priest. “Members of the East Meadow volunteer fire and emergency medical services are always ready to answer the call for help whenever and wherever needed.”

The East Meadow Fire Department, which covers East Meadow and parts of Levittown and Westbury (Salisbury), is always looking for new members to join their ranks as firefighters or emergency medical personnel; no experience is necessary. The fire department provides the training required. There are numerous benefits associated with volunteering, including tax breaks, college scholarships, annual health checkups, life insurance, and a service award pension program, all at no cost. For more information on volunteering with the East Meadow Fire Department, visit www.eastmeadowfd.com, or call 516-542-4565.