A Salute to First Responders

Friday, May 12, 2017

A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

A SALUTE TO

FIRST RESPONDERS Honoring those on the front lines of serving their communities

PRESS-REPUBLICAN

EX XT TR RA A

PRESS-REPUBLICAN

A supplement to the Press-Republican • May 12, 2017

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A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

Friday, May12, 2017

A SALUTE TO

FIRST RESPONDERS Honoring those on the front lines of serving their communities

CONTENTS A thank you from the Press-Republican ....................................................... 3 Community Outreach Corner: Batter Up! The Plattsburgh PD help kids hit the diamond ......................... 7 Franklin County EMS 9/11 Golf Charity Tournament ............................... 9 Helping out heroes: How to Support First Responders ............................. 14 Helping out heroes: Lend a Hand to a First Responder ............................. 15 THE HEROES: PROFILES ON LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS Plattsburgh Volunteer EMT Damian Batinelli ............................................. 4 Plattsburgh P.D. Officer Chris Clarke ............................................................ 6 The Old Firedog: Elizabethtown First Assistant Chief Jack Hanby ........... 8 New York State Trooper Joseph Liberty ...................................................... 10 Volunteer Emergency Medical Services Coordinator Scott Harwood .....12

A publication of the

PRESS-REPUBLICAN and the

EX XT TR RA A

PRESS-REPUBLICAN Michael Gallagher Special Publications Editor mgallagher@pressrepublican.com

Contributing Writers Meg LeFevre Toni Smith Nicole Swinton Michael Gallagher Original Photography by Gabe Dickens Questions? Comments? email specialpubs@pressrepublican.com or call 518-565-4183

Friday, May 12, 2017

A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

Thank You. The Press-Republican, its employees and its advertisers would like to extend our deep gratitude to the first responders that work tirelessly every day to protect our communities. Your hard work and dedication are a big part of what make the North Country such a wonderful place to live, work and play.

We thank you for keeping our friends, neighbors and loved ones safe.

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A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

Friday, May 12, 2017

DAMIAN BATTINELLI After being diagnosed with cancer after his National Guard duty on 9/11, he found help through a fellow first responder.

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amian Battinelli was working in the electronics department at the Plattsburgh Walmart on September 11, 2001 when he got the call from his National Guard unit to report to the World Trade Center site. He was in the middle of hooking up more TVs throughout the store so customers could watch the live 9/11 broadcast.

“Then I heard my name over the loudspeaker, saying to come to the back,” he said. “I picked up the phone and it was my first sergeant, and she said we need you to come down. She said to me, and I’ll never forget it, you’re on body count.”

He just stood there. Twenty years old, in his Walmart smock, shaking.

Battinelli made his way past the disbelieving crowds huddled around the televisions at the back of the store, rushed home, hurriedly packed a bag, and drove south on I-87 toward Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, NY, home to the 105th Airlift Wing where he had been serving one weekend a month since graduating from Peru High School in 1998.

From about Glens Falls south, Battinelli recalled his 1985 Pontiac 6000 cruising down the highway surrounded by humvees and military supply trucks— all first responders making the somber trip south, ready to charge blindly into the smouldering urban warzone in the heart of New York City.

Ten days after arriving in Newburgh, Battinelli’s official orders came in. He and about 100 unit members were bussed to Fort Hamilton Army Base in Brooklyn, given masks, and assigned, not to body count, but to security detail around the perimeter of the site.

“We all saw it for the first time on September 22. It was just like something out of a movie. Nobody had ever seen anything like that unless you came from a different country that’s wartorn,” Battinelli said.

Battinelli’s unit was charged with securing borders around the wreckage. The initial perimeter was a few blocks from ground zero, but by Monday, September 23, New York City officials ordered the borders moved closer to let people see the destruction, to let them grieve.

By this time, 12 days after the towers fell, the official count of bodies found was 261; 194 had been identified. 6,453 were still missing.

For the next two weeks, thousands of mourners flooded in and out of the World Trade Center site while Battinelli and his unit stood guard for 16-hour shifts.

It was still a crime scene, so no pictures were allowed. Battinelli recalled confiscating cameras and chasing photographers off scaffolding and street signs who were climbing to get a better angle for a better shot.

Now a professional photographer himself, with a powerful and prolific body of work, Battinelli acknowledges, “I would have been down there for sure, with the longest lens possible.”

Looking back, something else Battinelli said he would have done for sure is wear

Friday, May 12, 2017

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A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

Left: The casket proceeds down the center aisle of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Plattsburgh during the funeral mass for fallen state trooper Brian Falb.

Right: Brian Falb Jr. bends down to kiss the casket of his father, fallen State Trooper Brian Falb as it leaves the church.

(Photos provided by Damian Battinelli)

the paper dust mask issued to first responders at ground zero He had heard about the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Never in his wildest dreams for the entire duration of his assignment.

Compensation Act from the John Stewart show, but he “We had masks on for the first few days, then some EPA did he imagine that fifteen years didn’t think of himself as a true first responder because, as report came out that said the air quality was fine, everyone he said, “That’s not me, that’s the people who were in the pit, later he would be a 9/11 cancer and I was just standing next to the pit.” can take their masks off, so we all did,” he said.

Despite being able to see, smell, and even taste the dry, survivor, or become an unofficial Brian and Mary Falb would be the catalyst that encourpowdery smoke constantly swirling in the air and raining aged Battinelli to look into his first responder status to get advocate for the World Trade his bladder cancer certified as a 9/11 illness. Battinelli has down on them, Battinelli said first responders trusted in the Center Health Program through been cancer free for two years, but should it come back, he agency and followed orders. “We didn’t even think twice his compelling photojournalism is now covered under the World Trade Center Health Proabout it.”

He proudly fulfilled his duties as a 9/11 first responder gram. of Brian Falb’s battle with and went on to serve 13-and-a-half years in the Air National And he wants every other 9/11 first responder to know 9/11 related cancer, and Guard before being medically discharged due to 9/11 related about the program, to get screened, to get certified, and to subsequent funeral. be taken care of.

PTSD. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that fifteen The nature of Battinelli’s work behind the camera puts years later he would be a 9/11 cancer survivor, or become an unofficial advocate for him inside some of the most intimate moments of people’s lives. In the case of Brian the World Trade Center Health Program through his compelling photojournalism and Mary Falb and their four children, Battinelli’s images document not just a harof Brian Falb’s battle with 9/11 related cancer, and subsequent funeral. rowing journey, but a family’s love for their devoted husband and father.

By now you have probably seen Battinelli’s photograph of young Brian Falb Jr. Battinelli continues to follow and document 9/11 related cancer deaths on his kissing the casket of his father, State Trooper Brian Falb. It’s a powerful image that Facebook page. The same week in went viral the day of Falb’s funeral. The story was picked up by major news outlets March that Falb died, so did six other around the country. members of the NYPD and FDNY due Mary Falb, Brian’s wife, asked Battinelli to document the service and Battinelli to illnesses linked to toxic air at the Green Mountain French Bread graciously obliged. He got to know the Falb family a few years prior when they World Trade Center site.

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A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

Friday, May 12, 2017

CHRIS CLARKE The Plattsburgh Police Department’s Juvenile Officer reaches out to area youth.

By Toni Smith

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f you saw a police officer in the hallways of your high school, you’d probably be scared. But for the kids in the City of Plattsburgh school district, it’s just another day. And Officer Chris Clarke is a fixture in those halls.

Clarke first became a police officer in March of 2000, and has served as juvenile officer for the City of Plattsburgh since January 2011. In this capacity, he serves the five schools in the City school district as well as Seton Academy. While his duties involve investigating and coordinating with schools in the

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A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

Friday, May 12, 2017

case of a juvenile criminal event, more of his time is spent in positive ways, interacting with kids.

“It’s pretty rewarding to watch people grow, to become a new person when they reach the high school level.” Clarke said.

Clarke doesn’t really plan his school visits on certain days. He tries to visit the kids during lunch, cooperates with classroom teachers on presentations, attends school assemblies and even just doles out a few high-fives in the hallway.

“I’ve had some pretty good conversations with kids that have just stopped in the hallway just to talk. (I) just swing in and see what’s going on.” Clarke said.

A father of three, Clarke has spent a good amount of time working with kids. He has spent time as a little league coach and with both Chazy and Plattsburgh youth hockey organizations.

“It’s kind of a natural thing to spend some time with the kids. I’ve certainly enjoyed it. It’s been pretty rewarding. “Clarke said.

A good deal of his work is in the middle school and the high school. These kids, Clarke said, are in their formative years and have so many issues to deal with on a daily basis. The transition from elementary school to the secondary grades is a big one that comes with a lot more personal responsibility, according to Clarke, who has seen many of these kids grow from elementary students to young adults. Being another face for kids to talk to is important to Clarke.

“Especially in this time of social media, we certainly need to make sure there is some positive influence.” Clarke said.

The growing opioid epidemic is also on Clarke’s mind, and he feels it is important to provide guidance. Sometimes kids in crisis don’t have a positive influence in their life that can help them to navigate through hard times.

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“People don’t always understand the reality of the difficulty of the circumstances, how widespread it is, and how serious of a problem it potentially is. I think that we need to educate these kids and make them aware of this at a younger age. ” Clarke said about the opioid epidemic that is ravaging the North Country.

Recently, Clarke was a part of the Chasing the Dragon presentation held at the Strand Theatre. He also sits on the PINS (Persons In Need of Supervision) committee, serves as a bike instructor for the police department, where he teaches bike safety initiatives, and has worked with the CVPH Foundation and the Fit Your Noggin initiative. Helping people seems to be something that is in Clarke’s DNA. “I truly enjoy being involved, helping people, spending time with people. People interest me, what makes them who they are.” Clarke said.

Community Outreach Corner

Batter Up! The Plattsburgh PD is helping kids hit the diamond The Plattsburgh Police Department sponsors a Little League Team that’s gearing up for a new season! The Plattsburgh Baseball Club is holding registration the evenings of May 18 & 23 in the Plattsburgh City Recreation Department Gym on the Oval. Tryouts will be held May 30 & 31 at South Acres baseball field on Flynn Ave. For more information call club president Randy Lozier at (518) 572-6563.

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A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

Friday, May 12, 2017

SCOTT HARWOOD An dedicated professional training the next generation of EMTs

By Nicole Swinton

F Franklin County Director of Emergency Services Rick Provost (left) presents the EMS Provider of the Year to Scott Harwood (right) in this 2011 photo.

(Photo provided by Franklin County of Emergency Services)

FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION

or the past 10 years, Scott Harwood has been the Volunteer Emergency Medical Services Coordinator for Franklin County. In addition to assisting volunteer agencies and providers, he is responsible for most of the EMS training for the county.

While in many other areas, EMS and fire organizations operate individually, Franklin County has a combined rural fire department based EMS. Harwood works closely with various other providers of these essential community services and operates in cooperation with leaders of 19 agencies.

“Four years ago there were resource challenges in Franklin County,” says Harwood.

“While the townships do provide some money, well over half of the agencies in Franklin County don’t bill. We offer a free ambulance, which is old school.”

Franklin County is in better shape in 2017. Harwood’s tenacity and leadership has enabled the county to maintain over 200 certified EMS responders, as well as

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advanced the level of care available from EMS agencies ing means that volunteers who work full time are able to throughout the county. The system in Franklin County more easily fit it into their schedule.

Harwood can relate. He works a full time job in a is still mostly volunteer.

“We’ve taken our EMT pool, which was low, and I’ve separate career field but commits weeknights and Satbeen directly involved in stabilizing the EMT numbers. urdays to running calls and providing training to new Seventy-five people have been trained in two years. We providers as well as recertification. Like the many committed volunteers he works with, Harwood has a deep now have 225 EMTs in Franklin County.”

Harwood and the providers he works with had to sense of dedication to the community he serves. He has been a fire and EMS provider for a total come up with creative strategies for Like the many of 25 years. offering training opportunities.They committed volunteers “I got involved young, at the age identified barriers that were keeping of 16. We’re hoping to catch people potential volunteers from signing up. he works with, “There’s not a lot of financial incenHarwood has a deep young.” tive, even for paid providers, so there While the average provider age is 50, sense of dedication Harwood says Franklin County EMS really needs to be a desire to help out. to the community he has been able to successfully generThe biggest challenge is not interest but rather getting people to take the train- serves. He has been a ate interest in the next generation of fire and EMS provider volunteers. Training opportunities are ing.”

Much of the training is a matter for a total of 25 years. promoted through social media and in the local school systems. of bringing back expired Emergency “We have providers who are high school teachers and Medical Technicians who need recertification. Harwood found the length of hours required for training board members. We offer a summer course that targets to be restrictive for many people. Facilitating training in high schoolers. And our best success has been promotalternative times and formats resulted in an increase in ing at both Paul Smiths College and North Country volunteer numbers. Evening, weekend and online train- Community College.”

Community Outreach Corner

9/11 Charity Golf Tournament Help Franklin County EMS train the next generation of firefighters The Franklin County Office of Emergency Services hosts a charity golf tournament every year on Patriot Day to raise money to maintain their FRACO Training Area. The event, which is expected to feature up to 130 golfers this year, is held at the Highland Greens Golf Course in Dickerson, New York. For more information, call the Franklin County Office of Emergency Services at (518) 483-2580.

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JACK HANBY

This Keeseville Fire Department veteran is still sharing his years of experience with the newer generation of firefighters.

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he fire department has always been a part of Jack Hanby’s life. As a child, he would ride his bike by the Keeseville Fire Station, curious about what went on inside.

“It was goal of mine.” Hanby said about becoming a member of the fire department. His father was a state trooper, so helping people was built into Hanby’s DNA. And in 1964, after he made a move to Elizabethtown, he achieved that goal. Ever since, he’s worked his way up the ranks. In his decades long tenure he’s been an Assistant Captain, a 2nd Assistant Chief, a 1st Assistant Chief, and Department Chief.

At 73 years old, Hanby is once again serving in an officer capacity as First Assistant Chief.

“I was an asset to the fire department.” Hanby said.

Ask anyone who works with him, they will agree with this statement. “Car 11”, Hanby’s call sign on the emergency radio, is easily recognized and respected. Respect is learned through experience, “Old Firedog” is a nickname and Hanby is the type of person who is willing to share what he knows that Hanby proudly claims. with the people around him, espeHe has become the go-to person cially other firefighters. for anything fire related.

“I like to set examples.” Hanby said.

When you’ve been around as He expects to be setting those exlong as Hanby has, you learn amples for a long time, as he doesn’t a thing or two. see himself leaving the fire department anytime soon. He plans to stay on, serving as a mentor to younger firefighters who want to move up into positions as officers.

“We’re ready anytime they’re ready, but we’re not going to leave them.” Hanby said.

In 1984, Hanby felt called to become a fire investigator to help fight the growing arson problem in Essex County. He attended fire investigator school at the New York State Fire Academy in Montour Falls, N.Y. on a grant, and since then, he’s been perfecting his investigative skills, like collecting evidence and maintaining crime scenes.

“They call me the Senior Investigator probably because of my age. (But) I don’t feel old.” Hanby said.

Another nickname he has picked up from his brothers in the fire department is “Old Firedog” and it’s one that Hanby proudly claims. He has become the go-to person for anything fire related. When you’ve been around as long as Hanby has, you learn a thing or two.

But he’s not letting his age affect his performance. He is currently recovering

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A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

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from a serious illness that may be slowing him down, but it isn’t stopping him from doing his job. Recently, after being re-elected to his chief position, Hanby passed his fit test, allowing him to wear a Scott air pack and be an interior firefighter. Though now, he says, he mostly works command, always keeping his recovery in mind as he assigns tasks and monitors the scene.

“I don’t ask my people to do what I can’t do.” Hanby said.

He’s more apt to ask for help now, help with digging or heavy lifting. He is also willing to pass along his years of knowledge and experience to any of the firefighters who want to learn.

Over the years, Hanby has learned to read people, studying their body language, and how to make people feel at ease when talking with them.

“I’ve had a good career. I’ve done just about everything that I wanted to do.” Hanby said.

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A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

Friday, May 12, 2017

JOSEPH LIBERTY

Inspired by his father, this veteran state trooper finds many ways to help the community.

By Michael Gallagher

F

or State Trooper Joseph Liberty, lending a hand to others in his community is second nature. Growing up the youngest of 12 children, his industrious father, Edward Liberty, lived as an example of how important it was to give of oneself to help others. “I remember as a kid, if anybody needed any kind of help, he was there” says Liberty. “People always came to him when they needed somebody to build something”. The World War II veteran was a corrections officer, bus driver, ran a TV and appliance shop and was a skilled carpenter. He was always willing to lend a hand, whether it be to help his local church with work on their steeple, or help with a neighbor’s front porch.

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The roots of that altruistic spirit ran deep in Liberty. “I always knew that I wanted to go into a field that was going to help somebody.” His first job was as a lifeguard.

For eight years, he taught second, fifth and ninth grade. When an opportunity to become a state trooper gave him the chance to better support his growing family in a satisfying career, he joined and is now a 13-year veteran. Like his father, he’s generous with his time, although he’s quick to point out that he’s got some very understanding supervisors. “I couldn’t be this active in the community without the help of my supervisors helping with my schedule.” he says.

And Liberty’s calendar is usually quite full—he’s a member of the Knights of Columbus, helps fundraise for the Church of the “The biggest lesson Assumption at the Redford Picnic every year, and has even sings at the occassional wedding or I ever learned from church function. His first love is sports, though my father was that if and he’s coached or refereed just about every youth sport imaginable. “My dad’s skillset was someone asks you for building things; that’s not my skillset” he says, help, you help them. smiling. “I was good at sports. You name it, I That’s what makes a coached it, I umped it, I reffed it. I love coaching.” good person.”

Coaching youth sports has given him a chance to mentor and inspire many local kids, but he loves that it’s allowed him to spend more time with his own over the years. “We do work long hours. One way that guarantees that I get to spend time with my kids is to coach.”

Liberty’s three children, Joshua, 17, Nicholas, 14 and Abigail, 10, have all seen their dad in one of many coaching tenures over the years. These have have included baseball, football, softball and basketball. Even when his son Nicholas got interested

in a sport Liberty wasn’t as familiar with (soccer), he filled in as a referee. Currently, he’s coaching his daughter’s softball team.

Liberty says that the most rewarding aspect of his career is that it’s something his children can lookup to; “The most rewarding aspect of this job is that I do something I know my kids are proud of.”

But even more important than that, he says, will be the legacy that he’s left behind as a friend, neighbor, and father. “If I got hit by a motorist tomorrow, I wouldn’t want people to remember me as someone who was a good trooper per se, I’d want them to remember ‘He coached my son, he sang at my wedding’.” he says. “The biggest lesson I ever learned from my father is that if someone asks you for help, you help them. That’s what makes a good person. If my kids live that kind of life, I’m happy and proud. And that’s the way they are!”

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While there is no single method to cope with the physical and psychological demands of a first reponder’s job, a combination of therapies can help. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that responders need to take care of their own health to maintain the constant vigilance they need for their own safety. These steps can put workers on the right track.

• Form a support network in which each responder looks out for one another. Knowing support is available can be a big help.

• Take frequent breaks to clear the mind and rest the body. Try to take breaks away from a work area.

• Accept what cannot be changed, such as chain of command or long hours.

• Take advantage of mental health support services when they are made available. Recognize that it is not indicative of weakness to discuss difficult emotions.

• Maintain a healthy eating pattern and try to get adequate sleep.

• Exercise, which can reduce feelings of stress and be a healthy way to clear the mind and strengthen the body.

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15

A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

Helping our heroes:

Lend a hand to a First Responder

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irst responders put their lives on the line every day they show up for work. But in spite of the sacrifices officers routinely make, their contributions often go unnoticed.

First responders’ jobs might be thankless, but that does not mean people cannot express their gratitude to the men and women in blue who keep their communities safe. The following are a handful of ways to show support for the first responders who work hard to protect and serve your community.

• Pick up a first responder’s tab. First responders work in your community and, therefore, they likely break bread in your community as well. When you see first responders ordering meals at a local restaurant or sitting down to lunch at a neighborhood diner, offer to pay for their meals or arrange payment with their waiter or waitress without letting the first responders know. Picking up first responders’ tabs is a simple gesture, but it’s one they will appreciate and it will let them know they’re supported in the community they’re working hard to protect.

• Support police fundraisers. Police departments fundraisers support various causes. Some might aim to raise funds for sports programs designed to help local youth, while others might hope to raise money for the families of fallen officers. Whatever the motivation for the fundraiser, by supporting the event you are donating to a good cause and showing the police they and their efforts are being supported.

• Teach kids to respect first responders. First responders have come under considerable scrutiny in recent years, and youngsters may not know how to respond to news stories that do not paint first responders in a positive light. Parents can show their support for first responders by teaching their kids to respect police at all times. Encourage children to come to you if they Dry Dock read or hear stories that depict first Restaurant & Lounge responders negatively so you can PERU FEDERAL DRY DOCK help them process the story and CREDIT UNION encourage them to maintain the reLOUNGE spect they have for first responders.

THANK YOU TO THANKS • Thank a first responder when given the opportunity. Though it seems simple, saying “Thank you” to first responders can reassure them that the communities they work so hard to protect support and appreciate their efforts. Thanking first responders may only take a few seconds, but such a gesture can help first responders better cope with the stress of their jobs.

First responders have difficult jobs that require them to make considerable sacrifices to protect the communities where they work. But it doesn’t take much to show your support for local first responders and express your gratitude for the sacrifices they make every day.

ALL THE FIRST RESPONDERS!

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16

A Salute to FIRST RESPONDERS

Friday, May 12, 2017

Phil’s Chevrolet would like to Thank All First Responders, EMS Police, Fire Depts, 911 Dispatch Throughout Clinton, Franklin & Essex Counties

HEROES RESPOND FIRST