ALBANY, NY (10 June 2008) - Senator Saland has announced that Brendon Hernandez, a volunteer firefighter in the City of Beacon Fire Department, has been named a 2008 Volunteer of Valor. Firefighter Hernandez was nominated for the honor by City of Beacon Fire Chief Timothy Joseph. Chief Joseph submitted the following narrative depicting Hernandez’s actions in saving the life of a fire victim:
On April 16, 2008 at 9:30 pm Firefighter Brendon Hernandez was driving home from work along interstate 84 when he noticed flames coming from a home next to Dutchess Stadium along Route 9D. He got off of Route 84, proceeded to the area of the stadium, and found a house almost fully involved with fire. He called 911 and reported the fire’s location.
Firefighter Hernandez ran up to the house and noticed a car parked in front indicating that there might be someone trapped inside the house. At this time he heard someone screaming for help from the rear of the house and he proceeded to the rear of the structure where he met up with Town of Fishkill Police Officer Timothy Cipollini. They spotted a victim in a second floor window. Firefighter Hernandez tried to gain access to the house from the rear door but was pushed back by the high heat and smoke. Firefighter Hernandez then climbed onto the rear porch roof trying to reach the victim to no avail.
Firefighter Hernandez knew that the victim was in great danger as he could see flames entering the room where the victim was and knew he had to do something quickly. Firefighter Hernandez and Officer Cipollini grabbed a picnic table that was in the rear yard put the table next to the house and Officer Cipollini climbed on top on the table and Firefighter Hernandez climbed on top of Officer Cipollini’s shoulders to where he was able to reach the victim and pull him out of the building and lower the victim to safety.
At this time the Chelsea Fire Department was arriving on the scene and called for mutual aid from the City of Beacon, Castle Point, Glenham, Village of Fishkill and Rombout Fire Departments to help fight the fire. Firefighter Hernandez, using all of his training as a firefighter and without any protective firefighting gear on and with total disregard for his own safety, did put his life in great danger to rescue another human life in the greatest tradition of the fire service. Thanks to Firefighter Hernandez and Police Officer Cipollini’s quick actions, they were able to save a life from the horrors of the fire. There were no injuries to any other civilians or firefighters. Firefighter Brendon Hernandez was honored with a medal of valor from the City of Beacon Fire Department for his actions above and beyond the call of duty.
Senator Saland honored Firefighter Brendon Hernandez, as well as brave volunteers nominated by other Senators, at a luncheon ceremony in the Well of the Legislative Office Building on June 10, 2008, where he was presented a proclamation and certificate honoring his bravery.
Brendon Hernandez is a twenty-year old volunteer firefighter who hopes one day to become a member of the New York City Fire Department. He was born in Plattsburgh, New York and currently resides in the City of Beacon.
