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| By PW |
| State Senater George Maziarz talks to the crowd about the actions of the firefighters. |
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| By PW |
| Senater Reads the Senate award presented to Jason Kobrinwith his father Chief Barry Kobrin in the background. |
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| By PW |
| State Senater George Maziarz stands with the recipients of the Senate awards along with the Past President and Chief. |
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| By PW |
| Reading the caption from the 1st Responder award that will be on display at the Rapids Firehall. |
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| By PW |
| Close up of 1st Responder's award presented to the firefighters that saved two lives at the Creek Side Apartment Fire. |
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| By PW |
| Marie Ess, 95-years-old, stands with her heroes, the firefighters responsible for saving her from the burning apartment which she was trapped inside. |
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| By Dennis Stierer, usj |
| The photo that appeared in the local paper with a story of the heros rescue. |
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| By Stephen M Wallace |
| The night that would lead to two people being rescued. |
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LOCKPORT, NY -- Rapids Fire Company held its 71st Installation Dinner January 21st at the Rapids Fire Hall in the Town of Lockport New York. This Gala event was host to many-honored guests and would see a number of firsts in the history of the Rapids Volunteer Fire Company. The Master of Ceremonies for the night was Legal Criminologist / RN Paramedic Stephen Wallace who is also one of the first Senior Correspondents for 1st Responder News.com.
The awards started off with a special presentation by State Senator George Maziarz, who is the voice of all volunteers in Albany. Senator Maziarz has provided companies in the Niagara County area with tens of thousands of dollars in equipment, and grants, and special low interest loans. He is our leading voice in Albany.
As Master of Ceremonies, I was privileged and honored to make the following remarks before introducing Senator Maziarz.
Heroes, a word that is so missed used in our language. How can we call a NASCAR driver, multi million dollar football players, spoiled, on strike, million dollar baseball players, run in with the law NBA ball players, and of course, we don't get paid enough NHL players, heroes? We then turn around and use the same word to describe those who give of themselves to provide a service to help others.
These Emergency Service Providers sometimes pay with their lives, and always pay with mental life long strain. They aren't paid millions; they don't enter burning buildings for big rings, and trophies! These professionals perform their jobs to help others in need, not for a title or a special bonus in their contract, just to help. Tonight we at the Rapids Volunteer Fire Company have the honor of having among us six firefighters that live up to the true meaning of Heroes.
They entered a burning building while the roof was collapsing, and two exits had already been engulfed in flames, to search for a female trapped inside. They found the 95-year-old woman and got her out safely. At the same fire, at the far end of the building, another Rapids firefighter was removing a blind lady from her apartment.
State Senator George Maziarz was informed about the rescues that had taken place at the Creek View Apartment Fire, and he was also able to see the actual video film from that night.
Senator Maziarz was so impressed with the heroism of that night, he felt compelled to personally make the presentation of a New York State Senate Proclamation recognizing each of the six firefighters who took part in the Creek View rescue at the Lockport installation dinner.
Publisher Joseph Belsito had a vision in 1991 to provide the public with a means to read, and learn about the actions of 1st Responding Emergency Service providers. This vision has grown to be the country’s leading source of emergency services news events, 1st Responder Newspapers, and 1stResponderNews.com.
I am proud to say I started off with Joe in 1998; my photo was on the debut issue of the 1998 New York edition of 1st Responder Newspaper. When Joe was informed of this event honoring the men and women at the Creek View Apartment Fire, he authorized the use of 1st Responder’s logo and his name, to be placed on an award that will grace the wall of the Rapids Volunteer Fire Company. It will also appear on the individual smaller plaques for each of the rescuers to display.
Chief Barry Kobrin was introduced and announced the Firefighter of the Year Award; the honorees were the six involved in the rescue. What made this presentation so special was that 95-year-old Marie Ess was present at the dinner, and she presented each of the firefighters with their Firefighter of the Year Award. The firefighters Jason, Heather, Brandon, John, Adam, and Phil received a standing ovation.
Past President Paul Ast thanked the body and was happy that he would be able to spend time with his son who is taking part in the T.C. "RODS" ambulance explorer program, and he would always lend a helping hand if needed. Barry Kobrin gave his information speech and as the Chief reelected by the body he is looking forward to working with his son Jason who was elected President of Rapids Volunteer Fire Company. The Officers and Fire Police where sworn-in and the festivities of the night began.
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