Senate Resolution No. 415

BY: Senator GAUGHRAN

COMMENDING Firefighter Josh Kerr, Ex-Chief Robert
Kaplan and Captain William Sauberman upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, Citizens across the State of New York are inspired by and
indebted to our noble firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every
day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, New York State 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
Nation; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Firefighter Josh Kerr, Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan and Captain William
Sauberman upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, On Sunday, January 6, 2019, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the
Syosset Volunteer Fire Department responded to an automatic carbon
monoxide detector activation at a senior living complex; upon arrival,
the firefighters noticed a burning smell; and

WHEREAS, After Captain William Sauberman, officer of Engine Company
5, forced his way into the apartment, he and Firefighter Josh Kerr, the
Acting Officer of Engine 584, and Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan, officer of
Ladder 5855, began to search the smoke-filled apartment for residents;
and

WHEREAS, Fortunately, the three firefighters heard a groan from the
kitchen and found the victim face down on the floor; after a quick
assessment to see if he was still breathing, they carried the 71
year-old man outside to safety; and

WHEREAS, The unconscious victim was cared for on scene by the
Syosset Fire Department Emergency Medical Service members, and he gained
consciousness on route to the hospital; due to the firefighters' astute
and courageous actions, the man's life was spared; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected men and women are often the first
to respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, an
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; and


WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help
others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with
family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need;
Firefighter Josh Kerr, Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan and Captain William
Sauberman are such firefighters; they heroically perform, above and
beyond the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of
fire protection; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Firefighter Josh Kerr, Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan and Captain
William Sauberman upon the occasion of their designation as recipients
of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter Josh Kerr, Ex-Chief Robert Kaplan and Captain
William Sauberman.