LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Fire Inspector Timothy Welch of the
City of Middletown Fire Department upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition for his heroic efforts

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our valiant 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 of another; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Fire Inspector Timothy Welch of the City of Middletown Fire Department
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition for his
heroic efforts; his courageous action will be honored by a ceremony at
the City of Middletown Common Council, to be held on Monday, April 13,
2009; and
WHEREAS, On Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at approximately 9 a.m. a
fire broke out in a three story apartment building at 212 East Main
Street in Middletown, New York; and
WHEREAS, Fire Inspector Timothy Welch of the City of Middletown Fire
Department responded immediately to the fire scene, and observed a fully
engaged fire; and
WHEREAS, Upon being informed that there was somebody trapped in the
burning building, Fire Inspector Timothy Welch completely geared up and
donned a SCBA, and proceeded to the rear of the building; and
WHEREAS, Notified by police personnel that there was a child on the
second floor near the window area, Fire Inspector Timothy Welch
proceeded up a ladder and was confronted with smoke and fire; he entered
through the window and found an unconscious young child at the base of
the window; and
WHEREAS, Fire Inspector Timothy Welch pulled the young child through
the window, secured him and brought him down the ladder; he then handed
the unconscious and badly burned boy off to Police Officer Vincent Andre
and other responders for transportation to the emergency room at Horton
Medical Center; and
WHEREAS, The rescued boy, six year old Wilmer Diaz, was then flown to
Westchester Medical Center, where he was listed in critical but stable
condition; he suffered smoke inhalation and second and third degree
burns on 35 percent of his body; and
WHEREAS, As a result of Fire Inspector Timothy Welch's excellent
skills and training, and his heroic and courageous efforts, the life of
six year old Wilmer Diaz was saved; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals within the State of New York who perform
rescue operations with diligence and precision, resulting in heroic
life-saving actions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Fire Inspector Timothy Welch of the City of Middletown Fire
Department for his consummate courage and bravery which serve as an
inspiration to us all; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Fire Inspector Timothy Welch of the City of Middletown Fire
Department.