HomeMy WebLinkAboutHonoring Al "Buddy" Kirsits for his Truly Heroic Actions of Savings a 53-Year Old Man's Life Line on April 29, 2003Attest:
RESOLUTION
3183 -03
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
May 12,
203
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
May 13 20 03
City Clerk
President of Common Council
Approved and signed by me
May 13,
03
20—.
City Clerk
0
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