Senate Resolution No. 1581

BY: Senator KAPLAN

COMMENDING Chief Brian Santosus upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition after
many years of dedicated service to the Mineola Fire
Department

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

WHEREAS, Volunteer 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
country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Chief
Brian Santosus upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after many years of dedicated service to the Mineola Fire
Department to be celebrated at its Installation Dinner on Saturday, June
8, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Brian Santosus became a member of the Mineola Junior Fire
Department at the age of 14; after completing his four years of service
with the Junior Department, he joined as a firefighter at the age of 18;
and

WHEREAS, After two years of service within the fire department,
Brian Santosus went on to serve his country in the United States Marine
Corps, from 1995 to 1998; and

WHEREAS, Brian Santosus was elected to the position of Captain of
Engine Company 1 in 1999 and served in that capacity until 2001; in
2003, he was named Company 1 Firefighter of the Year; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, Brian Santosus was elected to the position of
Warden, representing Engine Company 1, and served in that position until
2013, when he was elected to the position of 2nd Assistant Chief of the
Mineola Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, In 2017, Brian Santosus was elected to the esteemed
position of Chief of the Mineola Fire Department, serving until 2019;
with his election to Chief he and his father, Louis Santosus, who served
as ex-Chief, Warden, and is a 50 year member, became the first father
and son duo to be elected Chief of Department in the Mineola Fire
Department; and

WHEREAS, In addition to serving the Mineola Community as a volunteer
firefighter, today, Chief Brian Santosus is a 17-year veteran
firefighter with the FDNY, and he holds the respected position of
Lieutenant at Ladder 142 in Queens, New York; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to

respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation
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;
Chief Brian Santosus is such a firefighter; throughout his years of
devoted service, he heroically performed, 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 Chief Brian Santosus upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition after many years of dedicated service to the Mineola
Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Chief Brian Santosus.