Senate Resolution No. 2217

BY: Senator BROOKS

COMMENDING 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke 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
significant 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 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor 2nd
Lieutenant Corey Cooke of the Freeport Fire Department upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, On Monday, September 12, 2016, shortly before 6:30 a.m.,
2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke was driving to work in his personal vehicle;
while travelling northbound on South Bayview Avenue, he noticed smoke to
the east on Southside Avenue and detoured to investigate its source; as
he drove down the street, it became apparent that the smoke was the
result of a house fire on Roosevelt Avenue; and

WHEREAS, After parking his car, and notifying the Freeport Fire
Department that there was a working house fire, 2nd Lieutenant Corey
Cooke exited his car and quickly ran around the corner to investigate
the fire and check the house for occupants; and

WHEREAS, Upon learning that the house was still occupied, 2nd
Lieutenant Corey Cooke entered the front door and encountered four
occupants in the living room who were attempting to evacuate an elderly
woman on the second floor; as the house filled with thick smoke, 2nd
Lieutenant Cooke physically guided the four people on the first floor to
safety, while conditions continued to worsen; and

WHEREAS, 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke was told that the elderly woman
had fallen from the second floor to the bottom of the staircase, next to
the kitchen; without hesitation, he ran back into the smoke-filled home,
and began to crawl towards the kitchen located to the rear of the house;
and

WHEREAS, Guided by the terrified cries from the 90-year-old woman,
finally located the victim lying on the floor, unable to move; grabbing
the victim under her arms, 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke swiftly dragged

her towards the point of egress, while being forced to breathe the
potent smoke; and

WHEREAS, As he approached the front door, 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke
was met by an off-duty Nassau County Police Officer who grabbed the
victim's feet and assisted him in carrying her out the doorway and down
the front steps to safety; and

WHEREAS, Hearing fire engine 213 approaching the scene, 2nd
Lieutenant Corey Cooke immediately ran to assist the Freeport Fire
Department by hooking up the supply line to the hydrant; after being
relieved by the crew of Engine 214, he returned to the scene to check on
the victims; seeing that they were being taken care of, he helped Engine
213 establish a positive water source; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable man once again checked on the patients as
they awaited the ambulances; he had been so busy taking care of the
victims and helping his fellow firefighters that he had not noticed that
his hands and arms were burned; and

WHEREAS, With only one ambulance on scene and multiple people
needing care, 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke put off seeking his own medical
attention, allowing those more critical to receive care from the
incoming ambulances; using a bottle of water, he decontaminated his arms
and hands before further assisting Freeport Police and EMS personnel
with transporting patients to ambulances; and

WHEREAS, After an aggressive interior attack, the fire was placed
under control approximately 30 minutes following the arrival of the
first units; the four occupants that 2nd Lieutenant Cooke evacuated, as
well as a fifth occupant who had self-evacuated, were transported to the
Nassau University Medical Center where they were treated for smoke
inhalation; the 90-year-old woman was admitted for smoke inhalation and
burns, in addition to multiple fractures from her fall; and

WHEREAS, 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke and the Officer who helped him
rescue the elderly woman were evaluated for smoke inhalation and
released shortly after admission to the emergency room; and

WHEREAS, Fortunately, 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke was available to
prevent a terrible tragedy; using his training and instincts, without
Personal Protective Equipment or the protection of a charged hose line,
he braved low-to-zero visibility smoke conditions with impinging fire to
rescue the occupants from inside their home; and

WHEREAS, 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke should be regarded as a true
hero; he has continually devoted himself to public service,
demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing for the care and
welfare of the citizens of their communities and this great Empire
State; and

WHEREAS, Praised for maintaining his composure and his professional
conduct, 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke demonstrated his true character and
genuine compassion for the welfare of others; and

WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their

exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; 2nd Lieutenant
Corey Cooke is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the
preservation of order and the protection of others are worthy and due
full praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke 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; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to 2nd Lieutenant Corey Cooke.