Honor Fallen Fire Chief

Senate Resolution No. 4917 BY: Senator JACOBS MOURNING the death of Randy Rider, renowned Fire Chief, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every day in the course of their duties; and WHEREAS, Volunteer 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, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of Randy Rider, noting the significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and WHEREAS, Randy Rider of Tonawanda, New York, died on Tuesday, April

17, 2018, at the age of 69; and WHEREAS, For more than 20 years, Randy Rider was a proud member of the Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company; throughout his illustrious tenure, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; and WHEREAS, A graduate of Kenmore West High School, Randy Rider joined Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company in 1995; and WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career in fire service, Randy Rider served as an Erie County certified fire instructor and as Chief from 2006 to 2007, and again from 2016 to 2017, during which time he inspired retention and recruitment; and WHEREAS, A fourth generation firefighter, Randy Rider attended numerous trainings throughout the state and was steadfastly committed to ensuring that each and every one of his fellow firefighters went home safe; and WHEREAS, Randy Rider was also instrumental in the creation of the President Trophy of the Erie County Fire Chiefs' Association, a fire training award given for the most training hours for a fire company in a year; and WHEREAS, Past Chairman of the Town of Tonawanda Fire Chiefs' Association, Randy Rider also served the Town of Tonawanda Highway Department for more than two decades; and WHEREAS, Randy Rider is survived by his wife, Melissa, and their four children; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Randy Rider leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Randy Rider, renowned Fire Chief, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Chief Randy Rider.