Senate Resolution No. 5634

BY: Senator BONACIC

HONORING 1st Assistant Chief John Avery III upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Firefighter of the Year Award by the Ulster County
Volunteer Firemen's Association on July 27, 2018

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 1st
Assistant Chief John Avery III upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Firefighter of the Year Award by the Ulster County
Volunteer Firemen's Association to be celebrated at an event on Friday,
July 27, 2018, at the Olivebridge Fire Department in Olivebridge, New
York; and

WHEREAS, A vital member and well-respected leader of the Ellenville
Fire District, 1st Assistant Chief John Avery III is receiving this
prestigious award for successfully rescuing multiple families during a
fire in Ellenville, New York; and

WHEREAS, On March 3, 2018, at approximately 2:20 am, the Ellenville
Fire District was dispatched to a porch fire at 200 South Main Street,
within Emerald Pond Estates in the Village of Ellenville; Chief John
Avery III was quickly notified by the Ellenville Police that it was a
working fire, and the fire department was needed as soon as possible due
to the number of residents who were sleeping in their apartments; and

WHEREAS, After a second alarm was transmitted, Chief John Avery lll
arrived on the scene within a few moments; he observed the officers
attempting to gain access to the apartments, and without hesitation or
fear for his own safety, Chief Avery began kicking the doors in one by
one alongside the officers; and

WHEREAS, Through his steadfast efforts and due diligence, Chief John
Avery III awakened numerous sleeping residents and through the thick,
black smoke, helped guide them to safety outside; 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;

Chief John Avery III is such a firefighter; throughout many 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 1st Assistant Chief John Avery III upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Firefighter of the Year Award by the
Ulster County Volunteer Firemen's Association on July 27, 2018; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to 1st Assistant Chief John Avery III.