She’s someone who always puts others needs first
A familiar face from Fort Montgomery, Christin Byrnes, was one of about a dozen residents of the 99th Assembly District who were honored at a September 14 ceremony at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center.
Assemblyman Colin Schmitt was the host, and it was his second annual Salute to First Responders ceremony.
The ceremony honored frontline workers and first responders nominated by the Town and Village Boards in the region.
Byrnes, an EMT for and the president of the Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps, was nominated by both Supervisor Bob Livsey and Mayor Joe D’Onofrio. At their most recent meetings, both men praised Byrnes for not only her work in the ambulance, but also the great amount of behind-the-scenes work she does.
“It’s uncommon for two communities to nominate the same person, but based on Christin’s experience and dedication as a first responder, it should be no surprise,” Schmitt said. “I am honored to officially recognize her at this year’s Salute to First Responders ceremony.”
The assemblyman went on:
“Christin has been a member of the Town of Highlands EMS for 12 years,” Schmitt said at the ceremony. “A life-changing event pushed her into the family business — both her father Chris and stepmother Marty are longtime active members of the THAC — of serving the community as a first responder. While Christin was in the local Rite Aid, she witnessed a man suffer a heart attack. Christin felt helpless, unable to assist a person in need, and never wanted to feel that way again. She then joined the Town of Highlands EMS team.”
A press release issued by Schmitt’s office noted that it was a call to ‘Hell Hole’ that is most memorable to Byrnes.
“While now having responded to the countless calls that encompass her 12 years as a first responder, a most memorable call is one where Christin and her stepmother responded to what is commonly known as ‘Hell Hole’, a swimming hole near the Bear Mountain Circle. Christin came upon an unconscious female and performed CPR on her until she was able to be airlifted to the hospital where the woman survived.”
Bynes said she was honored to be both nominated and chosen.
“First, I would like to thank all of my fellow nominees here tonight for their tremendous bravery and dedication to their communities,” she said at the awards ceremony. “I would also like to thank Assemblyman Schmitt for his dedication and respect for those of us in uniform. We do what we do to service others, not ourselves. I am honored to have been recognized.”
Byrnes has been a familiar face at community events since she was four years old. Back then, she assisted her dad, Chris, at Sacred Heart Church’s Lawn Fete, helped him when he ran Bingo, and it’s continued as she and her father still run the annual Community Christmas Dinner, also based at Sacred Heart.
Her sister, Tara McLaughlin, notes that Christin is also currently the president of the Fred Eller Legion Post 1447 Auxiliary, another place she has volunteered since she was a child.
“Her exposure to volunteering within the world of veterans services has shaped her life, as she has spent the last seven years working as a Veterans Affairs contractor, helping veterans find housing,” McLaughlin added.
Byrnes has also worked — since she was 16 — at Richie’s Little Place in Fort Montgomery. Her managers there are Supervisor Livsey and his wife Mary, who said they were thrilled to be at last week’s ceremony.
“We are all incredibly proud of her and everything Christin has accomplished,” McLaughlin said this week. “She’s an amazing human being, with an extraordinarily huge heart, who cares for the community, veterans, her friends, and her family. Her actions speak louder than any words could ever be said about her.”
