Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart shared a story last week about meeting a married couple while campaigning.
"I stopped by the (South Orangetown) ambulance corps and I see a letter from the woman whose door I knocked on thanking you for saving her husband's life," Stewart said. "If not for you responding quickly, the gentleman who opened the door with a smile on his face might not have been standing there."
Stewart spoke as Orangetown held a special recognition for retiring South Orangetown Ambulance Chief Glen Albin last week.
Orangetown Councilman Denis Troy spoke of the work the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps does helping to care for two senior citizen centers in its territory, Thorpe Village and Cortwood Acres.
"My mom, who passed away this year, used to participate in a crafts fare to raise money for South Orangetown Ambulance," Troy said. "The reason they did that was because they knew South Orangetown Ambulance Corps and Sparkill Fire Dept. are lifelines for our seniors.
"I have to thank you for all you've done, Glen. Your department has a good mix of young and old. That reflects on leadership. You deserve every honor you get."
Albin spoke about his 32 years with the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps, which was among the first in Rockland County to have paramedics along with Pearl River.
"It is what today is advance live support services," Albin said "Now they are second to none in the country.
"We have been truly blessed in South Orangetown to have members as committed as we do. When we have disasters like Sandy, we are able to staff all four of our ambulances. We were able to help when a tree fell on a home in Pearl River."
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