[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25465-25466]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING SUFFOLK COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION 2003 
                        FIREFIGHTERS OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 2003

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Suffolk County 
Volunteer Firemen's Association 2003 ``Firefighters of the Year.''
  This year, the Association is honoring 1st Asst. Chief James M. 
Cummings, Ex-Captain Robert Souhrada and Firefighter Daniel Boucher of 
the Bay Shore, NY Fire Department. The testimonial of Chief Michael K. 
Cummings demonstrates the commitment of these three brave men.

       On March 19, 2002, at 18:31 hours the Bay Shore Fire 
     Department was alerted and toned out for a structure fire 
     (signal 13) at 103 Second Avenue. Immediately after going on 
     the air, the Bay Shore base was informed by Suffolk County 
     FireCom there was a child hanging out a window. At 18:33 
     hours, Engine 3-1-2 and 1st Asst. Chief James Cummings, 3-1-
     31, went (signal 2) enroute to the scene.
       While the crew of 3-1-2 began preparing to enter the 
     building with an attack line, 1st Asst. Chief (3-1-31) James 
     Cummings arrived at the scene and realizing due to heavy 
     smoke and intense flame that time was running out for the 
     trapped victims elected to effect a rescue through the second 
     story front window. As he entered the room, directly in front 
     of the window was 3-year-old John Thomas. Chief Cummings 
     immediately pulled him to his arms and proceeded to the 
     window.

[[Page 25466]]

       As Chief Cummings was affecting the first rescue, 
     Firefighter Dan Boucher had completed his ascent of the 
     stairs. Firefighter Boucher, unaware that anyone else was in 
     the room, entered the front room. Both Cummings and Boucher 
     arrived at the second victim simultaneously. Firefighter 
     Boucher picked up the second child, 4-year-old Derek Wright 
     and attempted to go back to the stairs.
       He was immediately directed by Chief Cummings to take the 
     victim to the window, where he passed the boy to Ex-Capt. Bob 
     Souhrada with no protective gear waiting atop an aluminum 
     ladder that was found on the side of the house.
       As resuscitation, attempts were being made on the two 
     youths on the front lawn, Chief Cummings continued to search 
     on his hands and knees in the dense smoke for the third 
     child. As Chief Cummings arrived at the base of a piece of 
     furniture, he realized the piece of furniture was a crib, he 
     felt around and located 8-month-old Starkeya Steeple.
       He grabbed the infant and immediately passed her to 
     Firefighter Souhrada on the ladder, where she was rushed to a 
     waiting ambulance that was immediately put in route to 
     Southside Hospital.
       At 19:23 hours, the return to base (signal 5) was 
     transmitted by the incident commander, Chief Michael K. 
     Cummings. Thirteen pieces of apparatus and eighty-six 
     firefighters responded to the scene.
       Unfortunately, both John Thomas and Derek Wright had 
     succumbed to their injuries on the day of the incident. 
     Starkeya Steeple remained in critical condition after being 
     airlifted to Nassau County Medical Center Burn Unit, where 
     she remained until March 23, 2002, at which time she was 
     pronounced dead, but not before her family was able to have 
     her organs donated.
       Without any regard for the grave risk to their personal 
     safety, Asst. Chief James Cummings, Ex-Captain Robert 
     Souhrada, and Firefighter Daniel Boucher displayed 
     extraordinary bravery in rescuing these children without any 
     protective streams or ventilation from the intense heat and 
     consuming smoke of this alarm.
       Therefore I respectfully request that these individuals be 
     rewarded the appropriate grade of commendation of valor, for 
     their actions above and beyond the call of duty.

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