LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Michael Giroux in recogni-
tion of his heroic action on March 4, 2011, in saving the lives of two
citizens

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals in public
service 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 commend
Firefighter Michael Giroux in recognition of his heroic action on March
4, 2011, in saving the lives of two citizens; and
WHEREAS, Son of Richard and Ann Giroux, Michael Giroux is a native of
Albany, New York; he attended Shenendehowa Schools in Clifton Park
before earning his Bachelor of Science degree from the State University
of New York at Cortland, and later a master's degree in Ex-Physiology
from Adelphi University; and
WHEREAS, Michael Giroux worked at Cornell Medical Center and for
several private doctors before accepting a position with the City of
Yonkers Fire Department in 2000, where he was assigned to serve Ladder
Seventy-One, Rescue One; in this capacity, he serves as a Specialist in
Technical Rescue, who trains emergency personnel in saving lives from
confined spaces, collapsed trenches, and rope rescues from buildings and
escarpments; and
WHEREAS, On the afternoon of Friday, March 4, 2011, two workers were
painting the facade of a high-rise building on Nepperhan Avenue in the
City of Yonkers, New York, when their platform malfunctioned causing
them to dangle perilously 13 stories above the ground; and
WHEREAS, Despite high winds, Firefighter Michael Giroux and his dedi-
cated colleagues set a plan in action to safely remove the painters; he
was chosen for his expertise to rappel down the 27 story apartment
building from the building's roof to rescue the two men who were
trapped; and
WHEREAS, Using the skills and techniques he has taught others, Michael
Giroux went to work rescuing the first worker who he deemed to be in the
most immediate danger; after successfully harnessing and lowering the
first man to the ground, he immediately repeated the heroic actions,
rescuing the second worker; and
WHEREAS, Michael Giroux's quick command and the heroic efforts of both
he and his entire team resulted in the inspiring rescue that saved the
lives of these two men; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Michael Giroux's heroic actions were not possible
without the help of Assistant Chief Roger Vitola and Firefighter Jose
Caraballo of Battalion 1, Lieutenant Nicholas Sarro, Firefighter Brendan
Healy, Firefighter Joseph Golusinski and Firefighter Douglas Higgins of
Rescue 1; Captain Rudolph Sarro, Firefighter Timothy Sullivan, Fire-
fighter John Rodriguez and Firefighter Kendrick Geiger of Ladder 71;
Lieutenant Brian McCaffrey, Firefighter Brian Curran, Firefighter Kevin
Mozdziak and Firefighter William Castillo of Engine 303; Lieutenant
Christopher Williams, Firefighter Neill Tyndal, Jr., Firefighter Hugh
McGahran, Firefighter Antonio C. Rodriques of Engine 304; Captain Joseph
Darcy, Firefighter Hung Chun, Firefighter John Spano and Firefighter
Christopher Leal of Engine 306; Lieutenant Daniel Flynn, Firefighter
Christopher Mitchell, Firefighter Sean Flanagan and Firefighter Brian
Pugsley of Engine 309; Captain John Aitcheson, Firefighter Michael
Bernardi, Firefighter Peter Coogan and Firefighter Rocco DeVito of

Ladder 72; Assistant Chief Brian Travers and Firefighter Dan Kime of
Battalion 2; Captain Thomas Travers, Firefighter Sean Faughnan, Fire-
fighter Sean Connolly and Firefighter James Duff of Squad 11; Lieutenant
Kevin Cox, Firefighter Joseph Yedowitz, Firefighter Lawrence Valentino
and Firefighter William Nowak of Engine 312; Lieutenant Michael Hanney,
Firefighter Joseph Pinto, Firefighter Charles Maron and Firefighter
Daniel Stangarone of Ladder 75 and, Assistant Chief William Fitzpatrick,
Lieutenant Allen Felman, Lieutenant Ronald DeMarco, Firefighter Eugene
Kelly and Assistant Chief John Flynn of Special Operations; and
WHEREAS, Also, assisting in the rescue efforts were members of the
Yonkers Police Department's Emergency Services Unit including Captain
Thomas Barnett, Sergeant Robert Akey, Police Officer Dennis Borelli,
Police Officer Jorge Cordero, Police Officer Jamie Molino and Police
Officer Anthony Alaimo; and
WHEREAS, Upon getting to the scene, the Yonkers Police Department's
Emergency Services Unit was able to gain access to the victims through
an apartment window on the 14th floor enabling them to pass the initial
safety line to the men taking them out of imminent danger; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Yonkers Police Department's Emergency
Services Unit were able to speak and translate to the painters who only
spoke Spanish while also conducting a medical assessment, keeping the
situation under control; and
WHEREAS, Due to the help from all of these emergency-response crews,
who were instrumental with the rescue of the two workers after their
scaffold collapsed, Firefighter Michael Giroux's efforts were trium-
phant; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Deana Giroux and
their two daughters, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Michael Giroux has truly distinguished himself as one of New
York's finest; when an act of such magnanimous heroism is brought to our
official attention, the same should be memorialized for the edification
and emulation of all; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Firefighter Michael Giroux in recognition of his heroic action
on March 4, 2011, in saving the life of two citizens; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Michael Giroux.