LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the seven brave firefighters and
police officers involved in the successful rescue of two individuals
trapped inside their burning home, and honoring them with Liberty Medals

WHEREAS, The firefighters and police officers of New York State are
renowned throughout the Nation; their reputation is synonymous with
excellence in the arduous fields of fire protection and prevention and
public safety; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the seven
brave firefighters and police officers involved in the successful rescue
of two individuals trapped inside their burning home, and to honor them
with Liberty Medals, 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 a
resolution in 2014 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 April 8, 2015, a fire started in a one-story ranch in
Brighton, New York; the flames engulfed the attached garage and home,
and the light from these flames woke a neighbor who called 911 reporting
a house fire with people trapped inside; at the same time, a 911 call
was received from inside the home from a female occupant stating she and
her elderly mother were trapped inside; and
WHEREAS, Three minutes after the dispatch, Brighton Engine 302 and
officers from the Brighton Police Department including Sergeant Allison
Laubacher, Michael Romach, Brad Steve, and Richard Kosakowski, and a
Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy, William Connell, arrived on the scene,
taking immediate action and breaking a window to get to the victims; and
WHEREAS, The firefighters began to attack the flames consuming the
garage and front of the structure; at this time, Firefighter Chad Orioli
arrived on the scene; he attempted to stand on the back of a Brighton
Police Officer but was unable to fit through the window while wearing
his fire gear and SCBA; without hesitation and regard for his own safe-
ty, he removed his SCBA, and the police officers lifted him off the
ground and pushed him through the window head first into the bedroom
where he located the two females; and
WHEREAS, Due to his quick and astute actions, Firefighter Chad Orioli
found the first victim, a 97-year-old woman, and passed her through the
window to waiting Firefighter Denis Jeffries, and members of the Brigh-
ton Police and Monroe County Sheriff's Office; he then found the second
victim, the woman's 64-year-old daughter, and passed her safely through
the window to waiting firefighters and police officers; and
WHEREAS, Although the situation could have been a dire one, Firefight-
er Chad Orioli did not hesitate to remove his safety gear and be pushed
headfirst into the bedroom, not knowing what conditions he would face
inside; without his SCBA or other tools, he put his own life at risk to
rescue and remove two individuals who needed his help; and
WHEREAS, Through their courageous and heroic actions, the seven fire-
fighters and police officers demonstrated the traditions of honor, dedi-
cation, knowledge and compassion, exemplifying Brighton's motto of
conscientious, caring service; they showed the fire service tradition of
selflessness by risking their lives to save the lives of others; their
ability to react, presence of mind, and ability to maintain their compo-
sure under deteriorating conditions which risked both their lives and
those of the two females makes them an example of dedicated heroes; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and police officers not only provide
the critical service of fire protection and public safety but also

engage in other activities of great benefit and importance to the commu-
nities they serve; 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;
throughout their devoted service, these brave firefighters and police
officers heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty, those
responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the seven brave firefighters and police officers involved in the
successful rescue of two individuals trapped inside their burning home,
and to honor them with Liberty Medals; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the aforementioned Firefighters and Police Officers.