Honor Southport Firefighter Service

Senate Resolution No. 374 BY: Senator O'MARA COMMENDING Firefighter Gerald O. Manchester, III upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 55 years of dedicated service to the Southport Fire Department 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 commend Firefighter Gerald O. Manchester, III upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 55 years of dedicated service to the Southport Fire Department to be celebrated at its Annual Banquet at Southport Fire Station on Saturday, February 16, 2019; and WHEREAS, Gerald O. Manchester, III joined the Southport Fire Department on June 11, 1963; throughout his 55 years of service, he has held several positions within the Department including Chief for eight years; and WHEREAS, This extraordinary firefighter was instrumental in raising awareness to the challenge of hazardous materials within Chemung County and advocated for the formation of a county response capability; these efforts led directly to the City of Elmira Fire Department establishing a hazardous materials response team; and WHEREAS, Firefighter Gerald O. Manchester, III was a small business owner in the town of Southport and selflessly took valuable time away from his work to tend to the fire department when necessary; and WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride, valor, and integrity; they 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; Gerald O. Manchester, III is such a firefighter; throughout 55 years of devoted service, he 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 commend Firefighter Gerald O. Manchester, III upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 55 years of dedicated service to the Southport Fire Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Firefighter Gerald O. Manchester, III.