Honoring Al "Buddy" Kirsits for his Truly Heroic Actions of Savings a 53-Year Old Man's Life Line on April 29, 2003

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Resolution No. 3183 -03 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, HONORING AL `BUDDY" KIRSITS FOR HIS TRULY HEROIC ACTIONS OF SAVING A 53 -YEAR OLD MAN'S LIFE ON APRIL 29, 2003 WHILE OFF -DUTY FROM THE SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT 9( bgrCals, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, notes that Al "Buddy" Kirsits has been a member of the South Bend Fire Department for 24 years, with 15 of those years being served as a Battalion Chief; and VD91=$, the Common Council recognizes that Buddy's duties have included serving on the Fire Department's Dive Team and the HazMat Team; and being an instructor for Red Cross and the National Instructor for the Personal Watercraft Industry Association; and VbgrCatg, on Tuesday, April 29, 2003, while off -duty and while car - pooling his oldest son, Jonathan and four of his friends from Holy Cross School, Buddy noticed a tremendous amount of black smoke and drove to a home on King Street which was totally engulfed with flames and thick dark smoke; and "Q bgrCOS, after calling fire dispatch and securing his passengers at a safe location, he was advised that a person was in the home and without hesitation, Al `Buddy" Kirsits kicked down a dead - bolted front door and crawled through thick smoke to rescue a man found inside; and Vbtr90 ,5, the South Bend Common Council recognizes that Al "Buddy" Kirsits moved the bar several notches higher when he "stepped forward and did what had to be done" during this recent emergency situation which threatened loss of life and property. Row, 0XV10£orC, bit it resolvo by the tommon (touttci! of (bit (tio of *outb *Mb, Inbianac, acs follows: Section I. On behalf of all the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council is extremely proud to commend one of our own, Council Member Al `Buddy" Kirsits, for his heroic off -duty accomplishments of saving a man's life from a burning home on April 29, 2003. Section II. The Common Council notes that Battalion Chief Al `Buddy" Kirsits exemplifies the finest qualities of service to his fellow person, regardless of the risk. Section III. The Common Council commends Al `Buddy" Kirsits for a job well done and wishes Buddy, his wife, Mary, and their children Jonathan, Kyle and Hanna the very best as they participate in their many athletic, academic and family endeavors. Section IV. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. avid Varner, Fifth District Ervin KuspanSi �t/h District Sean Colanan, At Large Kareh L. White, Council President Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand, Council Attorney Loretta J. Duda, City Clerk Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor PRESENTEtl : S- \ L- 0 3 NOT APPROVEd ;kDOPTE0. 'S -l2 Q3