Honor Chief Cresci Award

2017 WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and indebted to our noble firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every day in the course of their duties; and WHEREAS, Firefighters exemplify the power of human compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great country; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Chief of Safety Paul Cresci upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2017 Person of the Year Award by the Columbia Association of the New York City Fire Department to be celebrated at its 83rd Annual Scholarship Dinner Dance on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at Russo's on the Bay, Howard Beach, New York; and WHEREAS, After graduating college, Chief of Safety Paul Cresci began a career with the Social Security Administration, a position he held for nine years; even though the job was challenging and rewarding, he felt a desire to help people by becoming a firefighter; and WHEREAS, Following in his father's footsteps, Chief of Safety Paul Cresci joined the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) in 1976; he began his distinguished career at Ladder Company 144, where he would stay throughout his 31 years of service; and WHEREAS, During this time, Chief of Safety Paul Cresci was assigned to Engine Company 298, Ladder Company 127; he quickly rose through the ranks, as a Lieutenant, Chief Cresci was assigned to Engine Company 43; and WHEREAS, Promoted to Captain, Paul Cresci worked in the Bureau of Fire Prevention and covered in Division 13; as a Battalion Chief, he helped Chief Meyers and Chief Galvin reestablish the Manhattan Borough Command; during this period, he was a vital member of the Columbia Association Board of Directors; and WHEREAS, As a Deputy Chief, Paul Cresci had the honor of working in Division 1, and then the Bureau of Training; his various assignments have exposed him to every aspect of the job, and he has had the opportunity to learn from fire, EMS and civilian members of the FDNY and has a great respect for what each and every employee provides toward the achievement of the goals of this Department; and WHEREAS, In November of 2014, Paul Cresci was promoted and designated the Chief of Safety; in this role, he is dedicated to protecting the members of the FDNY, and is involved in all elements of the Department; and WHEREAS, Under Chief of Safety Paul Cresci's luminous leadership, the dedicated staff of the Safety Command is constantly monitoring operations to safeguard its members and spot trends or patterns which may lead to injuries; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Maria, and their two children, Paul and Anne, all of whom have all shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; and WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride, valor, and integrity; these respected public servants are often the first to respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill of hazardous materials; and WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Chief of Safety Paul Cresci is such a firefighter; throughout 31 years of devoted service, he has heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Chief of Safety Paul Cresci upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2017 Person of the Year Award by the Columbia Association of the New York City Fire Department on June 15, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Chief of Safety Paul Cresci.