Westchester firefighters show up for retired captain's discharge from rehab post-stroke

Over 100 Westchester firefighters showed up to surprise and cheer on one of their own as he was discharged from rehab for stroke treatment Friday.

Capt. Edmund Miley, 68, served as a volunteer firefighter in both Yonkers and Mount Vernon for 30 years. He spent 26 years at the Yonkers Fire Department, where he received Fireman of the Year award from the city in 1998, and spent four years as the Captain of the Mount Vernon Fire Department.

He was discharged from rehabilitation treatment at North Westchester Restorative Therapy & Nursing Center in Mohegan Lake Friday morning after experiencing a stroke in April, which has affected his speech and motor skills.

Miley was surprised by his family and members of the Yonkers, Mount Vernon and Mohegan Lake Fire Departments to escort him back home after a three-month-long battle to regain his skills through physical and occupational therapy.

"A turnout like this for Eddie was not unexpected, " said retired Yonkers Chief Jeff Michalak. "Eddie was a go-to guy in the firehouse, a friend to everybody and a wonderful officer in the firehouse. You could just see by this group how well respected he was."

In Miley's career, he has rescued five people trapped above a fire, delivered four babies and received another award for saving another firefighter who was trapped on a roof. He was also instrumental in saving lives at the fatal Oak Street fire in Yonkers in 2003 , which killed two people and left around 200 people homeless after decimating several houses on that block.

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Yonkers Asst. Fire Chief John Folkers worked with Miley from 1992 until his retirement from the fire department in 2007.

"Eddie was an extraordinary fireman and an extraordinary officer," Folkers said. "He was definitely one of the best leaders we’ve had on the fire department."

Folkers said Miley was also involved in charity work, especially with the Yonkers Fire Department's toy drive for the Ronald McDonald Foundation.

"Any fundraiser we did for the charity throughout the year, he was there, always helping out," Folkers said. "He’s a great guy, phenomenal."

Miley has continued to be resilient throughout his recovery and regained his ability to walk and talk thanks to physical therapists and speech-language pathology experts at North Westchester Restorative Therapy & Nursing Center, spokesperson Anthony Lambroia said. He will continue to recover with additional outpatient therapies at home.

"It was more than a pleasure for these guys to show up for Eddie and we’ll be there for him to support him," Michalak said. "I’m sure he’ll come through stronger than ever."

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester firefighters show up for retired captain's discharge from rehab post-stroke