Honor Heroic Fire Chiefs

Senate Resolution No. 407 BY: Senator RHOADS HONORING Fire Chief James Walsh and 3rd Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Rosenthal upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition for their prompt actions while at the scene of a fire emergency WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the caring concern and heroic acts of exemplary citizens and first responders who take prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, and in doing so, help others to avert life-threatening danger; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Fire Chief James Walsh and 3rd Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Rosenthal upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition for their prompt actions while at the scene of a fire emergency on Monday, October

28, 2024, in East Meadow, New York; and WHEREAS, On the morning of October 28, 2024, Chief Walsh and 3rd Assistant Chief Rosenthal arrived at the scene of a house fire as residents began evacuating the home; and WHEREAS, Upon assessment of the scene, Chief Walsh reported heavy smoke from the front door; 3rd Assistant Chief Rosenthal was preparing for his role as interior attack Chief as an occupant of the home warned him of a victim still trapped in the house amidst the roaring blazes; and WHEREAS, The victim inside was a 96-year-old woman, stuck stagnant on the stairs which led from the bedroom level to the kitchen level; both Chief Walsh and 3rd Assistant Chief Rosenthal, in an instant and selfless decision, entered the structure immediately, despite 3rd Assistant Chief Rosenthal being only partially in his full gear; and WHEREAS, Upon entering the structure, Chief Walsh discovered the victim had fallen down a couple stairs and remained there, awaiting help; the victim had multiple lacerations from her fall and had been coughing forcefully from smoke inhalation; and WHEREAS, With flames rolling just six feet above the victim's head, Chief Walsh moved the victim down the remaining stairs to the kitchen level, where 3rd Assistant Chief Rosenthal aided in finding a semi-protected area on the kitchen level; they lifted the victim onto a kitchen chair which they used to carry the victim down the last flight of stairs and out the front door to safety; and WHEREAS, The victim was turned over to EMS responders and she was taken to a local medical center to be treated for her abrasions, lacerations, and elevated carbon monoxide levels from smoke inhalation; the individual made a recovery and was released just days later to be reunited with her loved ones; and WHEREAS, Fire Chief James Walsh and 3rd Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Rosenthal, through their spontaneous and heroic actions, demonstrated their character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of their actions, the collective concern of ordinary citizens across the community of the State of New York who voluntarily respond when others need help; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Fire Chief James Walsh and 3rd Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Rosenthal upon the occasion of their designation for special recognition for their prompt actions while at the scene of a fire emergency; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Fire Chief James Walsh and 3rd Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Rosenthal.