[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 19, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E77]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING CHIEF DWIGHT BLANKENSHIP AND LONG ISLAND'S FIRST RESPONDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 19, 2011

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the everyday heroes who make up Long Island's first responder community 
for the service they give us every day.
  In the aftermath of disasters, we often ask the same questions: What 
went wrong? How could this have been averted? Who is to blame?
  Yet, in the early hours of January 1, 2011, a host of heroic first 
responders demonstrated how well-trained and dedicated experts could 
avert disaster and save lives. In this instance, the system worked. 
Mastic Fire Department Chief Dwight Blankenship and Assistant Chief Jim 
Mickert were the first to arrive on the scene of a gas leak and their 
immediate actions undoubtedly saved lives and property.
  Upon seeing a gas leak spewing from out of the ground, Chief 
Blankenship immediately recognized the gravity of the situation and the 
need to act. First, he took action to prevent any action that could 
create a spark and ignite the gas. After taking action to secure the 
scene, he made a series of calls to coordinate the largest response 
Suffolk County has seen since the Pine Barrens fires of 1995.
  Chief Blankenship's calls for assistance were answered by first 
responders from throughout Long Island. There are too many heroes to 
name, but the members of the Mastic Fire Department and the Mastic 
Volunteer Ambulance Company did so much to ensure the safety of the 
public. In all, more than 80 fire trucks and dozens of various 
departments joined in the effort.
  While New Yorkers are loath to admit that anything good can come from 
across the river, we owe a debt of gratitude to John Stearns and his 
team with Industrial Propane and Reclamation of Sussex, New Jersey, for 
their quick and effective response.
  I also want to highlight the Brookhaven Fire Marshals who responded 
to this potential disaster. Not only did the Town Fire Marshals ensure 
the safety of the public on January 1, but within three days of the 
incident they had completed their investigation and produced a 
comprehensive report about what had happened and how to avert a similar 
disaster.
  Every day, our first responders train and take time away from their 
families, for that one call. On January 1, we are all so grateful that 
Chief Blankenship answered the call, because the difference is 
literally a matter of life and death. I am proud to represent so many 
dedicated first responders like Chief Dwight Blankenship and thank them 
for their continued service to our community.

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