Westhampton resident Lorin DiBenedetto was honored with the Chief Steven Smith Award for her service to the at the department's annual dinner, held at the on June 8.
"Getting that award is most of the most exciting that has happened to me," said DiBenedetto, "I was really honored to receive it."
What makes the award even more special, said DiBenedetto, is that she only joined the department two years ago.
"I always wanted to join, but I was always busy with work, kids and life," said DiBenedetto, who is one of just a handfull of women firefighters in Westhampton Beach.
Then, two and a half years ago, there was a carbon monoxide scare in her office.
"The firefighters came to our office for three days in a row to check up on us," said DiBenedetto. "I decided this is what I wanted to do. I want to help people."
DiBenedetto says she applied and was accepted. Since, her fellow firefighters know that when they call, she will be there.
"I even answered a call while in Barcelona," said DiBenedetto. "My husband thought I was crazy — It's like $5 a minute. But it was the fire department. I couldn't not answer."
