LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ian Mackey, Lee Stipek, Kenneth Patter-
son and Gerald Knapp, heroic responders to a life threatening West
Haverstraw, New York, gas line leak on January 16, 2012

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 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 Ian
Mackey, Lee Stipek, Kenneth Patterson and Gerald Knapp, heroic respon-
ders to a life threatening West Haverstraw, New York, gas line leak on
January 16, 2012; and
WHEREAS, On January 16, 2012, a gas line rupture was reported in West
Haverstraw, New York; the rupture was caused by the installation of
underground lines; and
WHEREAS, Among those responding to the emergency call were Ian Mackey
and Lee Stipek from the Orange and Rockland utilities company, and
Kenneth Patterson and Gerald Knapp from the West Haverstraw Fire Depart-
ment; and
WHEREAS, Orange and Rockland workers Ian Mackey and Lee Stipek imme-
diately engaged in efforts to shut off the dangerous ruptured gas lines,
while firefighters Kenneth Patterson and Gerald Knapp went from door to
door to evacuate residents from their homes; and
WHEREAS, At approximately 1 p.m., firefighters Kenneth Patterson and
Gerald Knapp were in the midst of the evacuation process at the front
door of a home on Zarriello Lane in West Haverstraw when the home
exploded sending them 30 to 40 feet in the air and injuring them seri-
ously; the explosion also injured Orange and Rockland workers Ian Mackey
and Lee Stipek, who nevertheless successfully continued their efforts to
shut off the gas lines to prevent further explosions; and
WHEREAS, Orange and Rockland workers Ian Mackey and Lee Stipek, and
West Haverstraw firefighters Kenneth Patterson and Gerald Knapp, were
all hospitalized and treated for their injuries incurred as a result of
the explosion; and
WHEREAS, As a result of the courageous, skilled and heroic actions of
Ian Mackey, Lee Stipek, Kenneth Patterson and Gerald Knapp on January
16, 2012, in shutting off the gas lines and evacuating the residents of
the affected neighborhood in West Haverstraw, New York, further poten-
tial explosions and serious injuries and death to the area's residents
were prevented; 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
rescue operations with diligence and precision, resulting in heroic
life-saving actions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ian Mackey, Lee Stipek, Kenneth Patterson and Gerald Knapp, heroic
responders to a life threatening West Haverstraw, New York, gas line
leak on January 16, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ian Mackey, Lee Stipek, Kenneth Patterson and Gerald Knapp.