Senator Griffo Awards Medal to Syracuse Firefighter
Firefighter and EMT Richard Macheda receives the New York State Senate Liberty Medal for his heroic efforts during a house fire.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Awards
Senator Joseph Griffo presented the New York State Senate Liberty Medal to Richard Macheda in recognition of his life-saving actions during a Syracuse house fire. The award honors his humanitarian response to a emergency situation.
Why it matters
The Liberty Medal is one of the highest civilian honors in New York, reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage or humanitarian spirit during crisis events. This recognition highlights the dedication of first responders who act outside of duty hours.
Richard Macheda has served as a firefighter and EMT for 40 years. He and police officer John Canestrare provided life-saving measures for 10 minutes at the scene of the fire.
The players
Richard Macheda
He is an experienced firefighter and EMT who has dedicated 40 years to emergency services.
Joseph Griffo
He is a New York State Senator who presented the Liberty Medal to recognize local acts of heroism.
John Canestrare
He is a police officer who assisted in performing chest compressions on the fire victim.
The details
Macheda, a veteran firefighter and EMT, stopped his truck upon discovering a fire on Fourth North St. and utilized personal medical equipment to secure the victim's airway. He worked alongside police officer John Canestrare to stabilize the victim before emergency medical transport to Upstate University Hospital.
Timeline
December 26, 2025: Macheda assisted a house fire victim in Syracuse.
October 21, 2026: Senator Griffo presented the Liberty Medal to Macheda.
Culture Shift
The New York State Senate Liberty Medal serves as a formal recognition of the societal value placed on individual initiative during emergencies. This award highlights the growing cultural emphasis on acknowledging the actions of first responders who go beyond their official duties.
This recognition serves as a reminder to the Syracuse community of the high level of training maintained by local first responders like Richard Macheda. Residents are encouraged to be aware of the emergency personnel who work in their neighborhoods.
The takeaway
The recognition of Macheda underscores the vital role that off-duty professionals play in local safety. Individuals are encouraged to learn basic first aid, as such skills are essential when waiting for emergency services to arrive at a scene.
Further reading
Learn more about local honors and distinctions on our Syracuse Awards page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oneida Dispatch.
