HURLEY – Ulster County Legislator Heidi Haynes joined Hurley Fire Department Chief Steven Helsley to honor Shelagh Sweeney as Firefighter of the Year.
Ulster County Legislator Heidi Haynes Honors Shelagh Sweeney – Hurley’s First Woman Firefighter of the Year. Photo provided
Sweeney is the first woman to receive this honor in the Hurley Fire Department.
While most accomplished young women are focused on school and careers, Sweeney, 21, is going above and beyond, earning the respect and gratitude of her community as a firefighter and EMT.
Sweeney grew up in the Town of Hurley and was inspired to join the Hurley Fire Department almost five years ago after attending a first aid class at SUNY Ulster. She is the daughter of Francesca Szabadi of the Town of Hurley and she is the first firefighter in her family.
In addition to the strenuous rigors of firematic training, Sweeney works as an EMT and Field Training Officer for Mobile Life Support Services while attending online classes at Marist.
“I have such respect and admiration for each and every one of these dedicated volunteers,” said Haynes, “But I am truly impressed with Shelagh Sweeney’s grit and determination.”
Legislator Haynes explained that many people don’t understand that these professional firefighters are volunteers or that volunteer firefighters are required to complete the same rigorous training that paid firefighters undergo in order to maintain the high level of readiness required. “Not only are they ready to jump out of bed in the middle of the night to answer a fire call, they spend most of their free time training,” said Haynes. Legislator Haynes was recently appointed as the Legislative representative to the Ulster County Fire Advisory Board.
The Hurley Fire Department also honored John Miller for many years of dedicated service to the community.
“We are fortunate that our community has such a committed group of men and women ready to answer the call,” said Haynes.
