F.D. Ladies Auxiliary member honored

At a convention last week in Alexandria Bay, N.Y.S., Phyllis Sperr received the highest honor in the state Ladies Auxiliary, the 2011 Recognition Award of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, for her work with the East Meadow Fire Department.

Sperr joined the Ladies Auxiliary in March 1964, and was added to East Meadow Rescue Company 5 on in June 1994. Company 5, the busiest Fire Department in East Meadow, kept her busy: Sperr responded to more than 60 percent of all alarms as an emergency medical technician.

Sperr still works on countless auxiliary committees, including those for fundraisers and blood drives, and through the years has served on the executive board as corresponding secretary, recording secretary and representative to the Nassau County Ladies Auxiliary Association.

Her dedication to the Fire Department is unsurpassed. She has been the editor of the Ladies Auxiliary column in the monthly Firemen’s Benevolent By Shannon Koehle

At a convention last week in Alexandria Bay, N.Y.S., Phyllis Sperr received the highest honor in the state Ladies Auxiliary, the 2011 Recognition Award of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, for her work with the East Meadow Fire Department.

Sperr joined the Ladies Auxiliary in March 1964, and was added to East Meadow Rescue Company 5 on in June 1994. Company 5, the busiest Fire Department in East Meadow, kept her busy: Sperr responded to more than 60 percent of all alarms as an emergency medical technician.

Sperr still works on countless auxiliary committees, including those for fundraisers and blood drives, and through the years has served on the executive board as corresponding secretary, recording secretary and representative to the Nassau County Ladies Auxiliary Association.

Her dedication to the Fire Department is unsurpassed. She has been the editor of the Ladies Auxiliary column in the monthly Firemen’s Benevolent newsletter, served coffee at fire scenes, and remains a member of the East Meadow department’s competitive parade group, which has won numerous honors, including the New York State Championship Award.

“For these four-plus decades, her service to our auxiliary has been a standard for all of us to admire and achieve,” Nassau County Ladies Auxiliary President Kathleen Craft said in a letter nominating Sperr for the award. “To say that this dedication was the full extent of her community service would be an understatement.”

At Rescue Company 5, Sperr has won the gold pin of merit for Most Alarms Answered — more than 1,000 in a single year. No other member in the history of the EMFD has ever won this award more than a few years in a row, but Sperr has captured it every year she has been a member. “It cannot be argued that she has answered the most calls of any member in the history of our organization,” Craft said.

In her years as an emergency responder in the department’s busiest company, Sperr received awards for going above and beyond, for saving lives and for being EMS Technician of the Month. She was also honored in 2010, alongside fellow Rescue 5 member Patricia Magnus, with life membership in recognition of 15 years of service.

In addition to her day-to-day involvement in the department, Sperr responded to the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. “She was duly recognized with other members of her company for their efforts at a time when they were needed the most,” said Craft. “Her inspiration has made a lasting effect on the members of her company.”

Along with her husband, Arthur, East Meadow’s fire chief from 1975 to 1979, Phyllis continues to balance her commitments to Rescue Company 5, the Ladies Auxiliary and their six grandchildren.