LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Nunda Fire Department Truck Captain
Stephen Gelser upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time, this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout
the Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the ardu-
ous field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great State's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Nunda Fire
Department Truck Captain Stephen Gelser upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, 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
resolution 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, In the early morning hours of Friday, March 27, 2015, members
of the Nunda Fire Department were called to the scene of a working
structure fire with entrapment at a home on Parker Road in Nunda, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Upon arriving on scene, Chief Rober Walker, First Assistant
Chief Travis Rawleigh, First Lieutenant Travis Deiter, and Truck Captain
Stephen Gelser discovered three residents pinned down in the house as
smoke was quickly engulfing the two-story structure; and
WHEREAS, Due to the heavy smoke, the firefighters were only able to
locate the trapped residents because of their screams; and
WHEREAS, The men first climbed a ladder and upon reaching the roof
carried a terrified elderly woman to safety, despite her panicked
attempts to fight the firefighters rescuing her; and
WHEREAS, Travis Rawleigh and Travis Deiter then quickly scaled the
ladder again to the now smoke-covered roof, where they rescued a second
trapped woman as the home became engulfed in flames; and
WHEREAS, A third resident, a man, was subsequently rescued from the
home's first floor; and
WHEREAS, Travis Rawleigh and Travis Deiter credited teamwork and the
rigorous training put in by members of the department as contributing to
their preparedness for the situation, as well as the keen guidance
provided by Chief Robert Walker and quick actions of pump operator
Stephen Gelser; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection, but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities 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; and

WHEREAS, Nunda Fire Department Truck Captain Stephen Gelser has exem-
plified the virtues of duty, honor and dedication to his community since
he joined the department in 1992; and
WHEREAS, An active member in the department, Stephen Gelser holds the
rank of Truck Captain and is a member of the department's Board of Fire
Commissioners; he has previously held the ranks of Captain and Assistant
Chief; and
WHEREAS, Observing that special recognition should be given to those
who work so assiduously for the betterment of their communities, and
that they should be acknowledged publicly for their heroic actions as
volunteer firefighters in this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Nunda Fire Department Truck Captain Stephen Gelser upon the occa-
sion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest
honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Truck Captain Stephen Gelser.