LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Firefighter Michael A. Czech, Jr. upon
the occasion of receiving the James Gordon Bennett Medal and the New
York State Honorary Fire Chiefs Association Medal

WHEREAS, Dedicated public servants such as Michael A. Czech, Jr. exem-
plify 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 citi-
zens of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Firefighter Michael A. Czech, Jr. upon the occasion of receiving the
James Gordon Bennett Medal and the New York State Honorary Fire Chiefs
Association Medal; and
WHEREAS, It was in the early morning hours of January 27, 2009, when
the tones sounded in the quarters of Engine 285/Ladder 142, directing
the Company to respond first-due to a phone alarm for a fire at 97-12
93rd Street; and
WHEREAS, On arrival, the members found heavy fire on the second floor
of a three-story, 20 by 60 foot, Class 3, multiple dwelling with three
apartments, one per floor; the fire was venting from the rear windows
and the windows on the Exposure No. 4 side and auto-exposing to the
third floor; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Michael A. Czech, Jr., a member of Ladder Company
142, was assigned the outside vent position and began assisting the
chauffeur in setting up the tower ladder bucket; once positioned, Micha-
el, along with fellow Firefighter Edward Rissland, immediately entered
the bucket focusing their attention on the children trapped in the front
bedrooms and pleading to be rescued; and
WHEREAS, When the bucket reached the third floor, Firefighter Michael
A. Czech, Jr. began removing the right window and child guard gate and
while doing so, was driven back by a blast of heat and smoke; simultane-
ously, heavy fire and smoke were venting from the second floor windows
just below the bucket; and
WHEREAS, Undeterred, Firefighter Michael A. Czech, Jr. entered the
bedroom on the third floor and was instantly faced with thick, black
smoke and high heat; he dropped to his knees and began searching for
victims; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Michael A. Czech, Jr. quickly located a bed and
made a sweep of the top of it, where he located a six-year-old boy; at
the same time, Firefighter Rissland, who followed Firefighter Czech,
found a 10-year-old boy; together, the two firemen brought the children
to the bucket; and
WHEREAS, However, Michael A. Czech, Jr. returned to the fire to search
for more victims; he retraced his earlier search and went deeper into
the apartment; in the hallway outside the bedroom he located a 28-year-
old woman; he carried her to the window and was aided by Firefighter
Rissland; once all three victims were in the bucket, they were lowered
to safety; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Michael A. Czech, Jr. distinguished himself with
this act of bravery that went above and beyond the call of duty; he is a
shining example of what a firefighter from Ladder Company 142 repres-
ents, but more importantly, he is an example of the best of what humani-
ty has to offer; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those individ-
uals who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation of order and

the protection of others are worthy and due full praise for their
commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Firefighter Michael A. Czech, Jr. upon the occasion of receiving
the James Gordon Bennett Medal and the New York State Honorary Fire
Chiefs Association Medal; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Michael A. Czech, Jr.