LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Brian Avery and Robert Cole for their
heroism in rescuing a woman from a burning home

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 commend
Brian Avery and Robert Cole for their heroism in rescuing a woman from
her burning home on Sunday, November 24, 2013, in Yorktown Heights, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Brian Avery, a 48-year-old National Guardsman, husband and
father of two, and Robert Cole, a 49-year-old husband and father of two
with no firefighting training, saved the life of a 48-year-old wife and
mother of three who had just had hip surgery and had been asleep when
the fire broke out; and
WHEREAS, Brian Avery saw flames at the house and ran to help; after
unsuccessfully attempting to shimmy up a column onto the roof, he ran
back to his home to grab a ladder; and
WHEREAS, Robert Cole was driving on his way to a breakfast celebration
of his 14th wedding anniversary when he saw smoke; he quickly unfastened
his seat belt and followed the smoke until he reached the house; and
WHEREAS, After being told there was a woman upstairs, Robert Cole
looked up and saw the victim with her head and shoulders jutting out of
a bathroom window, smoke billowing all around; he also tried to climb to
the home's second floor with no success; and
WHEREAS, Brian Avery made it back to the home with a ladder and saw
Robert Cole; with no thought for their own safety, the two strangers
swung into action, a model of spontaneous teamwork; and
WHEREAS, Brian Avery climbed up first through dense smoke, followed by
Robert Cole, who went onto the roof; together they got the woman out of
the bathroom window and Brian Avery guided her down to safety, while
Robert Cole remained on the roof to get her securely on the ladder; and
WHEREAS, The smoke was so intense that Robert Cole had to wait until
the wind shifted so he could see the top of the ladder; once on the
ground, he was overcome by smoke and had to be pulled across the street
to safety; and
WHEREAS, Within two minutes of the rescue, the entire home was
engulfed in flames; and
WHEREAS, Robert Cole and Brian Avery, through their spontaneous and
heroic actions, demonstrated character and compassion for the welfare of
others, personifying, by virtue of their behavior, the collective
concern of ordinary citizens across the community of the State of New
York who voluntarily respond when others are in need of help; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Brian Avery and Robert Cole for their heroism in rescuing a
woman from a burning home, and to convey its tremendous appreciation for
their valiant actions; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert Cole and Brian Avery.