LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to Fire Chief Dave Robinson for
his off-duty heroism in saving the lives of a mother and child

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and nation are indebted to, and
inspired by, our noble firefighters who exhibit courage and commitment
every day in the course of performing their duties; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
caring concern and heroic acts of those exemplary citizens who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations and, in so doing,
preserve the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay trib-
ute to Fire Chief Dave Robinson for his off-duty heroism in saving the
lives of a mother and child; and
WHEREAS, On Sunday, December 8, 2013, Dave Robinson, chief of the
Gilbertsville Fire Department, was driving on his way to a hunting
outing when he noticed swerve marks leading off the road and down into a
steep, heavily wooded ravine; and
WHEREAS, Even though he was off-duty at the time, this dedicated first
responder's instincts led him to immediately investigate the situation;
he climbed down into the approximately 60-foot ravine, where he saw a
Jeep, with two child safety seats inside, abandoned in the stream bed;
and
WHEREAS, Dave Robinson, after alerting fire control, bravely followed
tracks into the four-mile-deep woods; he eventually heard the voice of a
woman and began calling out to her, instructing her to walk back towards
his voice; and
WHEREAS, The dazed young woman was carrying a small child; Dave Robin-
son attempted to calm the child and then carried both mother and child
back to the vehicle and across a small creek to where they could be
lifted to safety; and
WHEREAS, There is no doubt that without the courageous intervention of
Dave Robinson, two young lives would have been cut tragically short due
to exposure; the car was invisible to passersby on the road, the young
mother's disoriented state rendered her unable to seek aid, and the
temperature was a frigid 26 degrees; and
WHEREAS, Dave Robinson, through his spontaneous and heroic actions,
demonstrated his character and his compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying, by virtue of his behavior, the collective concern of ordi-
nary citizens across the community of the State of New York who volun-
tarily respond when others are in need of help; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to Fire Chief Dave Robinson for his off-duty heroism in saving
the lives of a mother and child; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Fire Chief Dave Robinson.