An emergency release system for a fluid transfer system having a first valve and a second valve that is selectively fluidly coupled to the first valve, the emergency release system comprising: a breakaway coupler mechanism engageable with the first valve and the second valve to releasably couple the first valve and the second valve together; an actuator mechanism engageable with the first valve and the second valve; and a piston-cylinder assembly configured to engage the actuator mechanism to selectively and simultaneously close the first and second valves, and to disengage the breakaway coupler mechanism from the first valve and the second valve; wherein the piston-cylinder assembly comprises: a cylinder having a housing with a first end coupled to one of the first valve and the second valve and a second end extending from the first end; and a piston partially positioned within the housing, the piston extending from the housing and being secured to the actuator mechanism; wherein the piston is movable between a first position in which the piston extends beyond the housing to a first distance, a second position in which the piston extends beyond the housing to a second distance that is greater than the first distance, and a third position in which the piston extends beyond the housing to a third distance that is greater than the second distance; and wherein the piston is a first piston and the piston-cylinder assembly further comprises: a second piston arranged to assist the first piston in moving to at least one of the first position, the second position, or the third position. a breakaway coupler mechanism engageable with the first valve and the second valve to releasably couple the first valve and the second valve together; an actuator mechanism engageable with the first valve and the second valve; and a piston-cylinder assembly configured to engage the actuator mechanism to selectively and simultaneously close the first and second valves, and to disengage the breakaway coupler mechanism from the first valve and the second valve; wherein the piston-cylinder assembly comprises: a cylinder having a housing with a first end coupled to one of the first valve and the second valve and a second end extending from the first end; and a piston partially positioned within the housing, the piston extending from the housing and being secured to the actuator mechanism; wherein the piston is movable between a first position in which the piston extends beyond the housing to a first distance, a second position in which the piston extends beyond the housing to a second distance that is greater than the first distance, and a third position in which the piston extends beyond the housing to a third distance that is greater than the second distance; and wherein the piston is a first piston and the piston-cylinder assembly further comprises: a second piston arranged to assist the first piston in moving to at least one of the first position, the second position, or the third position. a cylinder having a housing with a first end coupled to one of the first valve and the second valve and a second end extending from the first end; and a piston partially positioned within the housing, the piston extending from the housing and being secured to the actuator mechanism; wherein the piston is movable between a first position in which the piston extends beyond the housing to a first distance, a second position in which the piston extends beyond the housing to a second distance that is greater than the first distance, and a third position in which the piston extends beyond the housing to a third distance that is greater than the second distance; and wherein the piston is a first piston and the piston-cylinder assembly further comprises: a second piston arranged to assist the first piston in moving to at least one of the first position, the second position, or the third position. a second piston arranged to assist the first piston in moving to at least one of the first position, the second position, or the third position.