Senate Resolution No. 2661

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

HONORING the brave members of the Bedford Hills
Fire Department and Police Department in recognition
of their prompt and heroic actions on May 31, 2024

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

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 and property of
another; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
the brave members of the Bedford Hills Fire Department and Police
Department in recognition of their prompt and heroic actions on May 31,
2024; and

WHEREAS, In the early morning hours of Friday, May 31, 2024, the
Westchester County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call
from the resident of a Park Avenue home in Bedford Hills, New York,
reporting her house was on fire and that she and her two children were
trapped in the smoke and unable to escape; and

WHEREAS, Once Bedford patrol units quickly arrived on the scene,
they found a 35-year-old woman in distress hanging out of a small
bathroom window; the woman told officers that her two children were
still trapped inside the home; and

WHEREAS, Bedford Hills Fire Department's 1st Assistant Chief
Patierno, along with Bedford Police Officers Jordan Baschnagel, Ronald
Sauber, and Joseph Sagliano forced a door off the rear porch where they
faced heavy smoke; and

WHEREAS, Despite limited visibility, they followed the sounds of a
10-year-old child crying out from just inside the doorway in the kitchen
and were able to pull him out of the smoke-filled house; in an effort to
locate the second child, officers began breaking windows and removing
air conditioner units; and

WHEREAS, Without hesitation and despite not being able to see
through thick smoke, these brave men followed the faint cry coming from
an elevated window, climbed a small ledge, and were able to access the
window, removing the terrified 9-year-old boy; and

WHEREAS, The woman and her two children were taken to Westchester
County Medical Center by the Katonah-Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance
Corps where they were treated for smoke inhalation; the Bedford Hills
Fire Department maintained the scene and quickly put out the fire; and

WHEREAS, In addition to acknowledging the Bedford Hills Fire
Department and Police Department, members of the Katonah-Bedford Hills
Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Westchester Emergency Medical Services, and
the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services actively
assisted in the rescue and should be meritoriously commended for their
sacrifices and selfless dedication; and

WHEREAS, These heroic first responders have consistently
demonstrated a level of commitment, dedication, integrity, and
professionalism which truly exemplifies the finest traditions of the
Bedford Hills Fire and Police Departments; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should
give special recognition to those who work so assiduously for the
betterment of their communities, and acknowledge publicly the heroic
actions performed by the courageous first responders of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the brave members of the Bedford Hills Fire Department and Police
Department in recognition of their prompt and heroic actions on May 31,
2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Bedford Hills Fire Department and Police Department.