Eileen Gallagher, Author at Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk: The Magazines for New and North Castle

SHEroes Among Us

April 17, 2015 by Eileen Gallagher

Shown, L-R: Lexi Draper (Junior Firefighter), Luci Labriola-Cuffe (Firefighter/EMS), Sue Macellaro (EMS), Elissa Weinhoff (EMS Training) Carolyn Simpson/Doublevison Photographers

Four women graciously took time out from their busy schedules to talk about their roles as volunteers in Armonk. On a Monday night, the night set aside each week for the members of the Armonk Volunteer Fire Department to meet for training, cleaning equipment, restocking the vehicles, and sharing a meal, these inspiring women spoke humbly of their varied, yet similar, roles in the department. As they spoke, each one began to learn more about the others, encouraging each other along the way. From a high school junior to a mother with three children, they are united in their common goal: helping people.

The Armonk FD is one of only nine departments in the county with a combined fire and ambulance service. All the others (some volunteer, some career) have separate departments. As one of the women put it, “we work more efficiently as a team when we have to work together.”

Luci Labriola-Cuffe is currently the Chief of Fire Training at the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, where all 58 fire departments in the county go for training. She volunteers both as a firefighter and an emergency medical technician in Armonk, and has the distinction of having served as Armonk’s first and only female Chief, from 2011 to 2013.

Beginning as an officer in the department and continuing for eight years, Labriola-Cuffe then moved through the ranks, first as an assistant chief for four years, then two years as Chief. Her husband is a police officer in North Castle. The two met while responding to the same calls.

Inspiration to serve? As a child, Labriola-Cuffe’s father suffered with a recurring and serious illness, which necessitated frequent visits to their home by emergency personnel. She was deeply touched by the great work of the EMT’s who repeatedly came to the house and cared for him. “I realized at a young age that I wanted to help people.” During her school years, she became a lifeguard, and continued through college. After graduating with a degree in cardiac rehabilitation and working in the field for a few years, she shifted gears and became a firefighter, the first in her family to join the fire department.

Most memorable call? Helping to deliver a baby in the home of an Armonk resident during October of 2014, alongside her husband. “It was the most exciting call,” she mused, noting that while the mom did all of the work, she was able to offer assistance. Of all the calls involving fires, accidents, and injuries, this one stood out in a good way. “It was thrilling,” she recalled with a smile.

Advice for anyone thinking about joining the department? “You CAN. There is nothing more rewarding than working together.” Labriola-Cuffe spoke of the sense of family, and of teamwork, amongst the fire and emergency medical teams. “You do get something out of this. This is a very rewarding job, and you are very fulfilled knowing you are helping other people.” She also spoke with empathy of the need to be there for the people whose calls she responds to. “They are having their worst day,” she realizes.

Lexi Draper, ready and waiting at the Armonk Fire House. Eileen Gallagher Photo

Lexi Draper is a high school junior and a member of the Junior Corps, which is for young men and women from the age of 16 through 18. She initially wanted to join the ambulance corps, like her father, but is not yet old enough. Chief Carlos Cano offered her the option of joining the fire department as a junior firefighter, which she gladly accepted. The only girl in a class of about 23, Draper expressed gratitude that the boys have definitely included her as part of the team.

First call? There was a recent call regarding a mattress fire, which had ignited from a car on I-684. Though it was a school night, Draper was permitted to go on the call. (The Junior Corps has a weeknight curfew of 9 p.m. and a weekend time limit of 11 p.m., so as not to take away time from school and studies). Draper proudly described how she, while supervised by experienced members of the department, was put in charge of the nozzle at the end of the hose, an instrumental and rewarding moment for her. “Every call has one goal–putting out fire.”

Role models? Draper has been inspired by both of her parents. Her father serves as a member of the ambulance corps, and her mother is a nurse. Draper’s interest in science and medicine is a perfect fit.

Biggest challenge? Setting aside time for all her activities, including classes, homework, fire department training, and babysitting. Balancing her time becomes crucial.

Advice for peers? “Don’t be afraid to be the only girl to do what you want to do.”

A wife and mother of three boys, Elissa Weinhoff has always had a passion for medicine. First a pre-med student, and then a middle school science teacher, Weinhoff is currently in training as an Emergency Medical Technician. She is taking the extensive training course as well as riding along on the ambulance with EMT’s. Weinhoff plans to take the New York State exam on May 21. She will be on probation until she meets all of the requirements, and hopes to become a full fledged member of the Armonk Emergency Medical Services by this coming September.

Biggest challenge? Taking the required 200 hour course, which consists of a four hour class, two times a week. She travels to New Rochelle for this six month training. “It feels like you’re never going to know everything you need to know.”

Thoughts on volunteering? “This whole operation is unbelievable. This is a team, very supportive, patient–it really is like a family.”

Sue Macellaro has been a member of the Ambulance Corps for 11 years, and is now the Captain. She had been going through a job change years ago, and was not sure what she wanted to do. She even considered becoming a volunteer “candy striper” at a hospital. Encouraged by her husband, she chose to volunteer with the fire department in Armonk as an EMT.

Role model? Her father and brother were both firemen, and inspired her to help people in some capacity.

Most memorable call? Macellaro recalled two severe injuries. One was a young boy accidentally hit by a car. When she arrived at the scene, she found him awake, purple, and desperately gasping for breath. “I talked to him, and kept him awake,” she recounted, trying to keep him as calm as possible. The child fully recovered, but the accident stayed with her.

The second was a “burn call” for a man pinned behind the steering wheel of his car. The car caught on fire after a collision, and the man, a Polish citizen in the country for a visit, was severely burned. He had to be cut out of the car and he, too, was awake. “It was very overwhelming,” Macellaro recalled. “I couldn’t get the smell of burning hair out of my nose.” Visibly touched by the memory, she spoke of visiting the man in the burn unit of the hospital, trying to comfort him before he recovered enough to return home to his family in Poland. Macellaro also spoke of the peer support teams that assist the fire fighters and emergency medical technicians in times of tragedy such as this.

Range of experiences? “We see the gamut.” Serving the airport (HPN, which stands for Harrison Portchester North Castle), calls can range from plane crashes to the needs of older residents, now living at home longer and requiring the help of the ambulance corps more frequently.

In the candid discussion that followed, the women addressed the need for more volunteers, as well as challenges they all face as part of their job.

“It is getting tough,” Macellaro said matter-of-factly. “Many people work. Volunteers are a tough commodity these days.”

Labriola-Cuffe pointed out that perhaps the greatest need for volunteers is during the day, precisely when moms with children in school could be of assistance. Many of the firefighters and EMTs work or attend school during the day, and are less able to respond to calls. “Once you get through training (which is free and in-house for volunteers), you give what you can.”

“I wasn’t sure if I could do it, and then it suddenly took off,” said Macellaro, who added that education continues all the time.

As far as safety goes, whatever the emergency, the safety of the membership is the first priority. “Scene safety,” as Labriola-Cuffe referred to it, is what enables the volunteers to be able to go out on calls to help others.

Other aspects of volunteering? “Keep your mind open,” advised Labriola-Cuffe. At times, what a call starts out as and what you might actually encounter are two different things. “Be able to get back out there.” There are difficult situations to process, which may have lasting effects. However, there is an abundance of support, from the team as a whole as well as special peer support groups when needed.

For more information and ways to help, please visit www.armonkfd.com

Eileen Gallagher is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk magazines. Residing in Chappaqua with her husband and sons, she respects and appreciates the tireless work of all who dedicate themselves to saving lives and keeping their communities safe.

Getting YOU and Your Child Excited for Camp

March 2, 2015 by Eileen Gallagher

Despite the lingering snow, summer is not far away. As days get longer and temperatures climb, the time will come for children of all ages to embark upon the exciting adventure of heading off to summer camp.

Thinking about a day camp experience for your child, but concerned about separation anxiety? Worrying about how your son or daughter will adjust to a new setting? You are not alone. This practical and straightforward advice from day camp experts will ease your mind and help you both make a smooth transition.

Ruth Goodman, a social worker at Mount Kisco Child Care Center, assures parents that separation anxiety tends to be short lived. “Summer camp is often longer than a school day,” she reminds parents. “Camp counselors should expect such a reaction, and should welcome the camper with warmth and a song or other opening activity to assist the parent in saying a quick and confident goodbye.”

“Parents worry because kids worry,” states Gina Zohar, director of the “Little Cavs” program at the Harvey School. “Go over the schedule the day before. Let them know what to expect for lunch. Who will be picking them up that day? Let them know.”

The director of World Cup Nursery School and Kindergarten, Roxanne Kaplan, mentioned that children are very perceptive, and will pick up on the fact that a parent is worried. “As parents, it is important to keep your emotions in check. I know that it is often easier said than done, but when you are feeling worried, try to remember all the reasons why you chose the camp.”

“Even if you are nervous as a parent, do your best to show your child how confident you are that he or she will have a great experience at camp,” advises Gordon Josey, owner and director of Breezemont Day Camp. Parents should address issues they might be worried about with the camp to alleviate their concerns, but at a time the child is not around.

Zohar tells parents they have 24/7 access to her. As a parent, teacher, and camp director, she understands the situation from all points of view and stresses the importance of communicating. “I love what I do, and love talking with parents and grandparents. [Camp] is a big deal. We want them to love it!”

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Other tips:

Visit the camp ahead of time to have a sense of what your child should expect.

Give your child a photo or comfort item to hold onto during the day.

Keep goodbyes “short and sweet,” and less painful.

Go over the schedule the day before. For example, will there be art, skating, swimming, etc.

Check in with the camp during the day if you have concerns about your child’s adjustment.

Empathize with your child, listening to their concerns, but redirect them to the positive aspects of the camp.

Finally, take heart. In Kaplan’s experience, “Ninety nine percent of the time, when you call to check in on your camper, you will find out that the tears were very short lived.”

Eileen Gallagher is a regular contributor to both the print and online editions of The Inside Press (www.theinsidepress.com). Her children attended summer day camps and enjoyed them so much, they went on to become counselors.

PUBLISHER’S Note: A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CAMP SPONSORS FOR THEIR EXPERT ADVICE IN THIS FEATURE.

You’re Never too Young to Get Engaged

January 30, 2014 by Eileen Gallagher

“Engaged.” Author, professor and researcher Peter Johnston–invited to address the Chappaqua School Board on Wednesday–offered this as the one word he would most readily choose to best describe his goal for students. An enthusiast of the relationship between language and learning, Johnston indicated he would like to see “schools where students are intellectually and socially engaged… in reading, conversing, and imagining, leading to their increased understanding, cooperation, behavior, and moral development.”

Getting students engaged requires discovering and capitalizing on their interests. Topics that appeal to them will draw them in, entice them to read and share with each other. Even children reluctant to spend time with a book will find themselves wanting to discover what it is that other kids are talking about. They become interested in each other. As Peter stated: “Now I know what school could have been like, where kids find each other interesting.”

I Think, Therefore ILab

Robert Rhodes, principal of Horace Greeley High School, introduced the concept of creating a larger space, both literally and metaphorically, facilitating the development of necessary 21st century skills. Collaboration, communication, problem solving, and engaging in deep thinking are the goals behind ILab. There is a need for students to “go beyond what [they] learn in terms of content and facts,” added Dr. Lyn McKay, Superintendent of the Chappaqua Central School District.

A panel of teachers, staff support, and a student spoke to the board and the audience about their enthusiasm for ILab, and the reasoning behind it. According to Darleen Nicolosi, the Director of Instructional Technology, this new space will be a more effective way for students to “learn how to navigate and communicate in the digital world.” Times change, and our schools need to adapt and grow with the constantly evolving technology. For example, senior Jordan Chow spoke of using flash cards as a freshman to help him study, but now uses “quizlet,” an online study tool, as well as online sharing with classmates.

Wanting to be successful in school is only a portion of our children’s education. Latin teacher Nicole Diamente used the phrase “Non scholae, sed vitae discimus–we do not learn for school, but for life.” Students will make their way along the “never-ending path of new exploration and finding new knowledge,” concluded Chow.

ILab will be a catalyst for Project Based Learning (PBL) at Greeley. The intended environment will both support and challenge students, centering on significant content and 21st century skills. Students will be able to choose books, topics, and the layout of their projects. The space allows for up to three classes at a time, allowing students to work with other classes and across disciplines, with a variety of tools at their disposal.

Sensing the growing interest in ILab, Dr. McKay asked if we would like to take a tour of the space, a sneak peek at the state of the art reconstruction of former classrooms and a corridor. The group of 20 or so community members followed the panel to ILab, where we were shown around by our exuberant guides. We were walked through the five zones of ILab: a conference room, open space for group work and collaboration, two smaller rooms, and a multi-use big space. A large shelving unit stationed in one of the spaces will house the laptops and charging stations. Walls in the smaller rooms serve as white boards. Large wall mounted monitors will enable students to “Skype” with students around the world.

The arrangement and decor of ILab is both modern and classic, an attractive environment for teenagers to collaborate, communicate, problem solve, and engage in deep thinking. In response to Board of Education President Jeff Mester’s inquiry as to how the space will be allocated, Rhodes said he “hopes to have the problem that the demand is overwhelming.” The space is meant to be enticing enough that students and faculty will want to be there. Vicky Tipp, a member of the Board of Education, said it best when she described the “lab” as “energizing and different”, and that “the only bad thing about it is walking out of it.”