LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring eight Nassau County firefighters upon
the occasion of their designation as recipients of medals of valor from
the Nassau County Fire Commission for their heroism on February 4, 2011

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, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their own lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
eight Nassau County firefighters upon the occasion of their designation
as recipients of medals of valor from the Nassau County Fire Commission
for their heroism on February 4, 2011; and
WHEREAS, On February 4, 2011, eight heroic Nassau County firefighters
responded to an extraordinarily dangerous house fire in New Hyde Park,
New York; during the course of fighting the fire, the basement of the
house exploded, trapping two other firefighters in the blaze, one of
whom was unconscious; and
WHEREAS, Due to the heroic and skilled efforts of eight Nassau County
firefighters, their fellow firefighters were rescued from the basement
and thereafter able to return to duty; and
WHEREAS, The eight Nassau County firefighters who performed their
duties with remarkable heroism and consummate skill on February 4, 2011,
were: Anthony Mauro, John Waldron and Steve Carton of the New Hyde Park
Fire Department; Joe Canosa and Pat Jack of the Floral Park Fire Depart-
ment; Michael Magus of the Garden City Park Fire Department; Don Kipp of
the Bellerose Terrace Fire Department and Chief Rob Connelly of the
Mineola Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, The Nassau County Fire Commission awarded its highest honor,
the Gold Medal of Valor to firefighters Anthony Mauro, John Waldron and
Joe Canosa, who crawled through a cellar window to rescue three of their
fellow firefighters; and
WHEREAS, A Silver Medal of Valor were awarded by the Nassau County
Fire Commission to firefighter Steve Carton, and Bronze Medals of Valor
were awarded to firefighters Pat Jack, Michael Magus, Don Kipp and Chief
Rob Connelly; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals within the State of New York who perform
dangerous and life-threatening firefighting with diligence and preci-
sion, resulting in heroic life-saving actions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor eight Nassau County firefighters upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as recipients of medals of valor from the Nassau County Fire
Commission for their heroism on February 4, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to firefighters Anthony Mauro, John Waldron, Joe Canosa, Steve
Carton, Pat Jack, Michael Magus, Don Kipp and Rob Connelly.