Senate Resolution No. 573

BY: Senator PALUMBO

HONORING New York State first responders for their
valiant efforts in combating the brush fires in
Suffolk County, Long Island

WHEREAS, First responders 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, On Saturday, March 8, 2025, a brush fire began in Suffolk
County, Long Island, burning approximately 400 to 600 acres of land
spanning from Center Moriches to Westhampton, New York; and

WHEREAS, The scene required the emergency assistance of around 600
responders from 80 fire departments, as well as 10 ambulance crews to
help combat the fires; other reinforcements consisting of the New York
Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing, the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, New York State Fire, New York State Division
of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, New York State Department
of Transportation, the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, New York
State Police, and the help of numerous elected officials arrived on
scene to strategize, provide vital resources, and fight the blazes; and

WHEREAS, With increased wind velocities and a lack of adequate
precipitation affecting the area, there was an increased opportunity for
fire to spread rampantly; and

WHEREAS, Emergency response crews worked diligently for extensive
hours knocking down flames and creating a fire break around the
perimeter of the fire to prevent its further spread; a fire break is a
wide gap of land cleared of natural materials such as trees, bushes,
roots, and grasses, reducing the presence of flammable organic
materials; and

WHEREAS, As a result of the fires, a state of emergency was declared
on March 8, 2025, to prioritize the deployment of ground and air support
for immediate fire suppression; four New York National Guard Helicopters
conducted 88 water drops totaling more than 24,000 gallons on the same
day; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, a burn ban went into effect for Long Island,
New York City, and parts of the Hudson Valley on March 9, 2025, to lower
the probability of such a detrimental natural disaster of happening
again; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to the expeditious and professional efforts of the
countless first responders to the scene, the fires were fully contained
by Monday, March 10, 2025; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude
to those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of
life, nature, and property is a sacred responsibility benefitting the
greater good; 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 of an emergency; these first
responders heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty,
those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection and
selfless service to one's community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the heroic firefighters of: Deer Park Fire Department, Lindenhurst
Fire Department, North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company, West Babylon Fire
Department, Wyandanch Fire Department, Dix Hills Fire Department,
Melville Fire Department, Bay Shore Fire Department, Bayport Fire
Department, Bohemia Fire Department, Brentwood Fire Department, East
Brentwood Fire Department, East Islip Fire Department, Hauppauge Fire
Department, Holbrook Fire Department, Lakeland Fire Department, West
Islip Fire Department, West Sayville Fire Department, Kings Park Fire
Department, Nesconset Fire Department, Bellport Fire Department, Blue
Point Fire Department, Brookhaven Fire Department, Brookhaven National
Lab Fire Department, Center Moriches Fire Department, Centereach Fire
Department, Coram Fire Department, East Moriches Fire Department,
Eastport Fire Department, Farmingville Fire Department, Gordon Heights
Fire Department, Hagerman Fire Department, Holtsville Fire Department,
Manorville Fire Department, Mastic Fire Department, Mastic Beach Fire
Department, Medford Fire Department, Middle Island Fire Department,
Miller Place Fire Department, Mount Sinai Fire Department, North
Patchogue Fire Department, Patchogue Fire Department, Ridge Fire
Department, Rocky Point Fire Department, Selden Fire Department,
Setauket Fire Department, Sound Beach Fire Department, Terryville Fire
Department, Yaphank Fire Department, Jamesport Fire Department,
Riverhead Fire Department, Wading River Fire Department, Bridgehampton
Fire Department, East Quogue Fire Department, Flanders Fire Department,
Hampton Bays Fire Department, North Sea Fire Department, Quogue Fire
Department, Sag Harbor Fire Department, Southampton Fire Department,
Gabreski Airport ARFF, Westhampton Beach Fire Department, Cutchogue Fire
Department, Mattituck Fire Department, Orient Fire Department,
Amagansett Fire Department, East Hampton Fire Department, Springs Fire
Department, Shelter Island Fire Department, Brentwood Ambulance,
Exchange Ambulance of the Islips, Manorville Community Ambulance, Mastic
Ambulance, Mastic Beach Ambulance, Medford Ambulance, Patchogue
Ambulance, Port Jefferson Ambulance, South Country Ambulance, Stony
Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Riverhead Ambulance, Flanders
Northampton Volunteer Ambulance, Hampton Bays Ambulance, Southampton
Village Ambulance, Westhampton Ambulance, East Norwich Fire Department,
Elmont Fire Department, Glenwood Fire Department, Jericho Fire
Department, Plainview Fire Department, Roslyn Fire Department, Syosset
Fire Department, and Uniondale Fire Department; police departments:
Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs,
Southampton Town Police, and the New York State Police; New York Air
National Guard 106th Rescue Wing; and various New York State agencies
for their valiant efforts in combating the brush fires in Suffolk
County, Long Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue, and
Emergency Services.