LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the volunteers of the Bellmore Fire
Department upon the occasion of being recognized as Bellmore Herald's
People of the Year 2012

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its
citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the volunteers of the Bellmore Fire Department upon the occasion of
being recognized as Bellmore Herald's People of the Year 2012; and
WHEREAS, As Hurricane Sandy slammed into the South Shore on October
29, 2012, Bellmore Fire Department boat crews were out in the storm,
slowly, carefully motoring down flooded Bellmore streets; and
WHEREAS, Many Bellmore residents, realizing that water had consumed
their community, immediately turned around and returned to their houses;
others, tried to make it to higher ground, only to find that there was
none to be found; and
WHEREAS, Risking their own lives, the valiant firefighters of the
Bellmore Fire Department ferried countless residents to dry land, and
continuously searched for residents who were trapped by floodwaters and
in danger of drowning; and
WHEREAS, Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath stretched the Bellmore Fire
Department to its limits, with volunteers responding to dozens of calls
in a short period of time, saving countless lives and property; and
WHEREAS, In the weeks following the storm, the Bellmore Fire Depart-
ment responded to an additional 250 calls; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude to
those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life
and property is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility
their own by serving as firefighters; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the volunteers of the Bellmore Fire Department upon the occasion
of being recognized as Bellmore Herald's People of the Year 2012; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Bellmore Fire Department.