Honor Volunteer Firefighters Day

May 4, 2017, as Volunteer Firefighters' Appreciation Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Firefighters' Day 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, 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; the volunteer firefighters throughout this great Empire State heroically perform, above and beyond the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long- standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 4, 2017, as Volunteer Firefighters' Appreciation Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Firefighters' Day; and WHEREAS, There are nearly 100,000 volunteer firefighters in New York State, according to the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control; across the country volunteer firefighters make up two-thirds of the estimated 1.2 million firefighters; and WHEREAS, Ninety-five percent of volunteer firefighters are with fire departments that protect a population of less than 25,000; more than 50% of volunteers are located in small, rural departments that protect a population of less than 2,500; and WHEREAS, New York firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride, valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers 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, On Volunteer Firefighters' Appreciation Day, this Legislative Body urges all New Yorkers to remember all the past firefighters who have heroically served our communities: those who have died in service, as well as those who put their lives at risk to protect our safety; and WHEREAS, Firefighters dedicate their lives to the protection of life and property; sometimes that dedication is in the form of countless hours volunteered over many years, in others it is many selfless years working in the industry; in all cases, it risks the ultimate sacrifice of a firefighter's life; and WHEREAS, International Firefighters' Day is a time where the world's community can recognize and honor the sacrifices firefighters make to ensure their communities and environments are as safe as possible; it is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 4, 2017, as Volunteer Firefighters' Appreciation Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Firefighters' Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.