Honor Firefighters for Heroism

Senate Resolution No. 415 BY: Senator GAUGHRAN COMMENDING Firefighter Josh Kerr, Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan and Captain William Sauberman upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate WHEREAS, Citizens across the State of New York are inspired by and indebted to our noble firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every day in the course of their duties; and WHEREAS, New York State 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 Nation; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Firefighter Josh Kerr, Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan and Captain William Sauberman upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, On Sunday, January 6, 2019, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the Syosset Volunteer Fire Department responded to an automatic carbon monoxide detector activation at a senior living complex; upon arrival, the firefighters noticed a burning smell; and WHEREAS, After Captain William Sauberman, officer of Engine Company

5, forced his way into the apartment, he and Firefighter Josh Kerr, the Acting Officer of Engine 584, and Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan, officer of Ladder 5855, began to search the smoke-filled apartment for residents; and WHEREAS, Fortunately, the three firefighters heard a groan from the kitchen and found the victim face down on the floor; after a quick assessment to see if he was still breathing, they carried the 71 year-old man outside to safety; and WHEREAS, The unconscious victim was cared for on scene by the Syosset Fire Department Emergency Medical Service members, and he gained consciousness on route to the hospital; due to the firefighters' astute and courageous actions, the man's life was spared; and WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride, valor, and integrity; these respected men and women are often the first to respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, an 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; Firefighter Josh Kerr, Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan and Captain William Sauberman are such firefighters; they heroically perform, 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 commend Firefighter Josh Kerr, Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan and Captain William Sauberman upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Firefighter Josh Kerr, Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan and Captain William Sauberman.