Honor Heroic Fire Chief

2018 WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and indebted to our noble firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every day in the course of their duties; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking their own lives in an effort to preserve the life and property of another; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Town of Hampton Fire Chief Matthew Sears in recognition of his prompt and heroic actions while at the scene of a house fire; and WHEREAS, On Wednesday, February 14, 2018, a fire broke out at a house in the Town of Hampton fueled by oxygen tanks that were inside; Fire Chief Matthew Sears was the first to arrive on the scene and found the home ablaze; and WHEREAS, Immediately accessing the situation, Fire Chief Matthew Sears quickly learned there were two people inside; and WHEREAS, Disregarding his own personal safety and acting in a manner which personifies the finest traditions of those who place their own life in peril to save others, bravely and without hesitation went around back and found one victim half out of the home through a door on a porch, conscious but unable to move; and WHEREAS, Fire Chief Aaron Kerber of the Poultney Volunteer Fire Department was next to arrive on the scene and quickly began helping Chief Sears; just as they got the victim off the porch, the other oxygen bottles in the house exploded, with a total of five explosions; and WHEREAS, So aptly demonstrating their character and compassion for the welfare of their neighbors, both Fire Chief Matthew Sears and Fire Chief Aaron Kerber truly merit the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, Firefighters were able to get the fire under control within

90 minutes; unfortunately, the second victim succumbed to the fire; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should give special recognition to those who work so assiduously for the betterment of their communities, and acknowledge publicly the heroic actions performed by the volunteer firefighters of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Town of Hampton Fire Chief Matthew Sears in recognition of his prompt and heroic actions while at the scene of a house fire, applauding his courageous heroism in the face of alarming danger; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Fire Chief Matthew Sears and Fire Chief Aaron Kerber.