Bill Text: NY J00508 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourning the untimely death and paying tribute to the life and heroic service of Firefighter Jason Arno who died in the line of duty on March 1, 2023

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 42-21)

Status: (Passed) 2023-03-08 - ADOPTED [J00508 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00508-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 508

BY: Senator KENNEDY

        MOURNING  the untimely death and paying tribute to
        the life and heroic  service  of  Firefighter  Jason
        Arno who died in the line of duty on March 1, 2023

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of this Legislative Body to convey its
grateful appreciation and heartfelt regret in recognition of the loss of
a courageous and hardworking firefighter who  dedicated  his  purposeful
life and career in faithful service to both his family and the residents
of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  profound  sadness that this Legislative Body
records the tragic and untimely death  of  Firefighter  Jason  "Jay"  D.
Arno,  who  made  the ultimate sacrifice on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at
the age of 37; and

  WHEREAS, Around 10 a.m., Jason  D.  Arno,  a  three-year  member  of
Buffalo  Fire  Department  Engine  2,  stationed  at  Elmwood Avenue and
Virginia Street  in  the  neighborhood  of  Allentown,  was  fighting  a
four-alarm blaze at DC Theatricks on Main Street when work being done on
the  structure with blowtorches appeared to cause a backdraft which sent
flames shooting out  of  the  three-story  building  in  what  at  first
appeared to be an explosion; and

  WHEREAS,  Firefighter  Jason  D.  Arno  was  caught  in  the partial
building collapse and trapped about 30-40 feet  inside;  the  department
lost  contact  with  him  shortly  after  a mayday call came through the
radio, and unfortunately, due to the ferocity of the  fire,  his  fellow
firefighters  could  not reach him and he succumbed to the deadly blaze;
and

  WHEREAS, Upon the recovery of his body, Firefighter  Jason  D.  Arno
was  solemnly  greeted  by  his  comrades  who  gave him a stoic salute,
honoring his bravery and memorializing the loss of a young man who lived
a meritorious life of service to his beloved Buffalo community; and

  WHEREAS, In addition, Mayor Byron W. Brown has asked  for  buildings
and  other  structures  and  landmarks, including Buffalo City Hall, the
Peace Bridge and Niagara Falls, to be lit up in red through  Sunday  and
directed all City of Buffalo flags to be flown at half-mast; and

  WHEREAS,  Born  on  August  27,  1985,  Jason D. Arno graduated from
Canisius High School in 2003; during high school, he played football for
the Crusaders, winning postseason accolades during his junior year; and

  WHEREAS, Predeceased by his stepfather, John, Firefighter  Jason  D.
Arno  is  survived  by his wife, the former Sarah-Elizabeth Tierney; one
daughter, Olivia Louise; his mother, Sheryl; his father, David  (Julie);
three  brothers,  Delton  (Ashley),  Noah  and Nic; four sisters, Lydia,
Erikka,   Alyssa,   and   Abigail;   mother-in-law,    Karen    Tierney;
father-in-law,  Robert (Deborah) Tierney; many aunts, uncles, nieces and
nephews;  and  numerous  friends;  as  well  as  a  legion   of   fellow
firefighters who will long cherish his memory; and

  WHEREAS,  Jason  D.  Arno's  greatest  joy  in  life was his family,
everything in his life came second to his daughter, who  was  his  pride
and joy; and

  WHEREAS,  Jason  D.  Arno  was known for his strong work ethic, warm
smile, and for being an all-around good guy; and

  WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a  sense  of
compassion,  Firefighter Jason D. Arno leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a  comforting  memory
to all who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing young
man;  he  will be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of
this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
honor  the  life and heroic actions of Firefighter Jason D. Arno, and to
express its deepest condolences to his family; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of Firefighter Jason D. Arno.