Honor Firefighter Chris Austin

Senate Resolution No. 5066 BY: Senator LAVALLE HONORING Firefighter Chris Austin upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 14 years of dedicated service to the Yaphank Fire Department WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every day in the course of their duties; and WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters exemplify the power of human compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great country; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Firefighter Chris Austin upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 14 years of dedicated service to the Yaphank Fire Department, to be celebrated at its 92nd Annual Installation Dinner on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at Giorgio's, Baiting Hollow, New York; and WHEREAS, Chris Austin followed in his father's footsteps and joined the fire service in May of 1989, as a member of the Garden City Park Fire Department before becoming an EMT in 1990; he climbed the ranks to become Chief Staff in 1996, and served as Chief of Department from 2000 to 2001; and WHEREAS, After relocating, Chris Austin joined the Yaphank Fire Department in March of 2004, and has served as Chief for the past five consecutive years; and WHEREAS, Chris Austin has spent his distinguished career with the New York Police Department, achieving the rank of Detective in May of

2004; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Melanie, and their two sons, Spencer and Parker, who have all shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride, valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill of hazardous materials; and WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Chris Austin is such a firefighter; throughout his years of devoted service, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Firefighter Chris Austin upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 14 years of dedicated service to the Yaphank Fire Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Firefighter Chris Austin.