LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Firefighter Paul Bugge' 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
Firefighter Paul Bugge' upon the occasion of being named Firefighter of
the Year by the Southern New York Volunteer Firemen's Association; and
WHEREAS, At approximately 11:37 in the morning, on Sunday, November
30, 2008, the Westhampton Beach Fire Department was activated for a
reported structure fire across from 14 Griffing Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Paul Bugge' was the second to arrive on the
scene, with Captain Donneson being the first; upon the Captain's
arrival, he confirmed heavy smoke was showing from the 3-4 corner of the
structure; Firefighter Bugge' did a quick size-up and instructed Engine
7-8-4, now coming up the road, to catch the hydrant in the front of the
house and deploy their attack lines; and
WHEREAS, One of the Department's lines went to the rear of the struc-
ture on the 3-4 side and opened up the cellar bulkhead door; heavy smoke
was immediately discovered, however, Firefighter Paul Bugge', Firefight-
er Kevin Raynor and Firefighter Paul Hoyle entered the structure; and
WHEREAS, This group of brave men entered what they believed was a
small office, encountering flames rolling above their heads, and started
to battle the fire; realizing that the smoke was too intense, they
backed out to verify that the building was being vented; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Raynor vented the first floor and the men re-en-
tered the burning building; Firefighter Hoyle was positioned at the base
of the stairs feeding line while Firefighter Raynor led in with Fire-
fighter Bugge' right behind him; and
WHEREAS, They made their way, crawling through the office, fighting
the fire and pushing on, when the unimaginable happened and the floor
suddenly collapsed under Firefighter Raynor; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Hoyle, feeling the line pan out so quickly, knew
something was wrong and locked into the line for life; he held it as
firm as he could; Firefighter Raynor held onto the line and tried to
lock his elbows on a piece of the floor still intact; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Raynor's body was engulfed in the extreme heat
and flames; without regard for his own safety, Firefighter Bugge', real-
izing that Firefighter Raynor was in serious danger, reached out and
pulled him with one arm from the fire by his collar; he then led Fire-
fighter Raynor out to safety and to immediate medical attention; and
WHEREAS, There is little doubt that the courageous actions of Fire-
fighter Bugge' saved the life of his partner; he is a shining example of
what a firefighter from the Westhampton Beach Fire Department repres-
ents, but more importantly, he is an example of the best of what humani-
ty has to offer; 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 Firefighter Paul Bugge' 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 Firefighter Paul Bugge'.