LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Martha Byrnes and Christin Byrnes upon
the occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2009 EMS Merito-
rious Award by the New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Associ-
ation, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those who give
outstanding service to the people of this great Empire State and whose
extraordinary achievements assist in protecting the lives of their
fellow citizens should be recognized because their efforts so profoundly
strengthen our shared commitment to family and community life; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Martha Byrnes and Christin Byrnes upon the occasion of their designation
as recipients of the 2009 EMS Meritorious Award by the New York State
Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association, Inc., to be celebrated at
its 2009 Pulse Check, a leading educational conference and trade show,
on Sunday, October 4, 2009, at the Holiday Inn Albany, Albany, New York;
and
WHEREAS, This illustrious award is given by the New York State Volun-
teer Ambulance and Rescue Association to an individual or group for an
act involving a degree of unavoidable danger to be characterized as
great personal or group risk; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association
is a statewide not-for-profit membership organization, active since
1939; its mission is to promote and assist the interests of the State's
community volunteer and nonprofit EMS/First Responder/First Aid sector;
and
WHEREAS, On July 20, 2008, when the call came in for a 16-year-old
female who slipped down a cliff and struck her head in the "hell's hole"
area of the New York State Park in Bear Mountain, Martha Byrnes and
Christin Byrnes, two EMTs from the Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps, on
their own time, responded directly to the scene to render immediate
assistance until EMS units could arrive; and
WHEREAS, These two brave outstanding individuals immediately recog-
nized the seriousness of the situation when they saw CPR being performed
on the lifeless young girl; without hesitation, Martha and Christin
began to descend down the cliff; during the hand over hand climb down,
Christin lost her footing and fell, injuring her arm; however, this
incident did not stop either of the ladies from continuing down to the
victim; and
WHEREAS, Once down the cliff, Martha and Christin took over adminis-
tering CPR; with the combined initial efforts and the training of Martha
and Christin, the patient regained assisted respirations and a pulse
rate; they continued to render assistance during the rescue effort
enabling the victim to be airlifted to a trauma center; and
WHEREAS, In the performance of their duties, Martha Byrnes and Chris-
tin Byrnes have demonstrated their character and compassion for the
welfare of others; they are both tremendous assets to their EMS Unit and
distinguished citizens of their State and Nation; 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
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Martha Byrnes and Christin Byrnes upon the occasion of their
designation as recipients of the 2009 EMS Meritorious Award by the New
York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association, Inc., commending

them for their consummate courage and compassion which serves as an
inspiration to us all; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Martha Byrnes and Christin Byrnes.