LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lieutenant Kevin Oatman of the Verona
Fire Department upon the occasion of his designation as the 2010 Fire-
fighter of the Year by the Fireman's Association of the State of New
York

WHEREAS, Dedicated firefighters, such as Lieutenant Kevin Oatman, 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
Lieutenant Kevin Oatman of the Verona Fire Department upon the occasion
of his designation as the 2010 Firefighter of the Year by the Fireman's
Association of the State of New York at its 138th Annual Convention to
be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Wind Watch,
Hauppauge, New York; and
WHEREAS, On the morning of December 31, 2009, at 1:25 AM, the Oneida
County 911 Center dispatched the Verona Fire Department to a reported
structure fire at 5999 State Route 31 in the Town of Verona; the initial
report indicated a fire inside a residential structure; within minutes
of the initial dispatch, the Oneida County 911 Center advised they were
receiving multiple calls stating that a victim was trapped on the second
floor; and
WHEREAS, Verona Engine 6 arrived on the scene shortly after the
initial dispatch with a five man crew under the command of 2nd Lieuten-
ant Kevin Oatman; and
WHEREAS, Without regard for their own safety, Lieutenant Oatman and
firefighters Aldo Cacciotti and Jeff Hugunine immediately entered the
burning residence to search for an unaccounted for victim; and
WHEREAS, Upon entering the structure, these three brave men encount-
ered and endured moderate heat and zero visibility; undeterred, they
worked to stop the progress of the fire and located the victim, a
49-year-old woman, who was unconscious and unresponsive; upon finding
her, they immediately removed her from the residence to an awaiting
ambulance and out of harm's way; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Kevin Oatman intelligently distinguished himself
with this act of bravery that went above and beyond the call of duty; he
is a shinning example of what a firefighter from the Verona Fire Depart-
ment represents, but more importantly, he is an example of the best of
what humanity 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 Lieutenant Kevin Oatman of the Verona Fire Department upon the
occasion of his designation as the 2010 Firefighter of the Year by the
Fireman's Association of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lieutenant Kevin Oatman.