Published: June 12, 2008 01:38 am            

OLCOTT: Gilson receives state Volunteer of Valor Award

A past chief of the Olcott Volunteer Fire Co. received a state award for his heroic rescue of a drowning woman last summer.

Mark Gilson received the New York State Volunteer of Valor Award, State Sen. George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) announced Wednesday.

Gilson and members of the Olcott Volunteer Fire Company responded to the scene of a possible drowning in Lake Ontario on Aug. 4, 2007. Gilson spotted the female victim, 33-year-old Melissa Fisher of Newfane, floating face-down about 300 feet from shore.

Gilson swam out to Fisher, turned her over and brought her back to shore, where he found she was in full arrest.

Gilson began rescue breathing with the help of other firefighters. The crew stayed with Fisher during the ambulance ride to the hospital.

Fisher eventually made a full recovery.

Gilson received the Volunteer of Valor award at a special reception Tuesday at the legislative office building in Albany.

Maziarz congratulated Gilson and the Olcott firefighters for the successful rescue.

“Mark will be the first to say this rescue was a team effort, but there is no doubt that without Mark’s selfless actions, that woman would not be alive today,” Maziarz said. “Mark has made an outstanding commitment to serving his community, and he has used his talents and training to save lives. ... There can be no more rewarding accomplishment than this, and the recognition he has earned is a small way of saying ‘thank you.’ ”

Later this year, Gilson will receive the 2008 EMS Provider of the Year Award from The Firemen’s Association of New York State.

        

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