Senate Resolution No. 5066

BY: Senator LAVALLE

HONORING Firefighter Chris Austin upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 14 years of dedicated service to the Yaphank
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 honor Firefighter
Chris Austin upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 14 years of dedicated service to the Yaphank Fire
Department, to be celebrated at its 92nd Annual Installation Dinner on
Saturday, May 12, 2018, at Giorgio's, Baiting Hollow, New York; and

WHEREAS, Chris Austin followed in his father's footsteps and joined
the fire service in May of 1989, as a member of the Garden City Park
Fire Department before becoming an EMT in 1990; he climbed the ranks to
become Chief Staff in 1996, and served as Chief of Department from 2000
to 2001; and

WHEREAS, After relocating, Chris Austin joined the Yaphank Fire
Department in March of 2004, and has served as Chief for the past five
consecutive years; and

WHEREAS, Chris Austin has spent his distinguished career with the
New York Police Department, achieving the rank of Detective in May of
2004; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Melanie, and their
two sons, Spencer and Parker, who have all shown him love and support
and rejoice in his many achievements; 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;
Chris Austin is such a firefighter; throughout his years of devoted
service, this volunteer 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
honor Firefighter Chris Austin upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition after 14 years of dedicated service to the Yaphank
Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter Chris Austin.