LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lieutenant Joseph Barrow upon the occa-
sion of being named Firefighter of the Year by the Southern New York
Volunteer Firemen's Association

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body has the deepest pride and admiration for
the firefighters of New York State who perform the crucial work of fire
protection and fire prevention; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor
Lieutenant Joseph Barrow upon the occasion of being named Firefighter of
the Year by the Southern New York Volunteer Firemen's Association; and
WHEREAS, On April 27, 2008, the South Farmingdale Fire Department
along with elements of the Bethpage Fire Department and the North Massa-
pequa Fire Department responded to a house fire at 15 Lyons Avenue in
Farmingdale, New York; and
WHEREAS, The fire crews began fire suppression operations inside the
building and encountered high heat and heavy smoke; the conditions
rapidly deteriorated and the firefighters were ordered to return from
the dwelling; and
WHEREAS, As the members of South Farmingdale Fire Department Ladder
978 and Engine 971 and Bethpage Fire Department Assistant Chief Richard
Resto exited the dwelling, Lenny Mormino and Kenneth Keating of Engine
971 continued to operate a hand line in order to protect the departing
firefighters; and
WHEREAS, Within seconds the first floor of the building collapsed;
Firefighter Kenneth Keating was able to exit the building safely while
Firefighter Lenny Mormino lost his footing and began to fall into the
collapsed area; and
WHEREAS, Acting quickly, South Farmingdale Fire Department Lieutenant
Joseph Barrow grabbed Firefighter Lenny Mormino by his SCBA unit to
prevent him from falling through the floor and Assistant Chief Richard
Resto helped remove the two of them from the building; and
WHEREAS, If not for the spontaneous and heroic actions of Assistant
Chief Richard Resto and Lieutenant Joseph Barrow, Firefighter Lenny
Mormino would have fallen through the floor and perished as a result of
the fire; and
WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout
the Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the ardu-
ous field of fire protection and prevention; and
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, 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 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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lieutenant Joseph Barrow upon the occasion of being named Fire-
fighter of the Year by the Southern New York Volunteer Firemen's Associ-
ation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lieutenant Joseph Barrow.