Honor Firefighter Cancer Advocate

Senate Resolution No. 948 BY: Senator GRIFFO HONORING Brian McQueen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award by the National Volunteer Fire Council WHEREAS, The unity of our State and Nation is built upon the compassion of individuals such as Brian McQueen who uphold the values of community life and who, through their great actions, epitomize the best of humanity; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Brian McQueen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award by the National Volunteer Fire Council to be celebrated at its Spring Meeting on Friday, April 26, 2019, in Alexandria, Virginia; and WHEREAS, On December 24, 2013, Brian McQueen, a very active member of his county's fire service as a deputy fire coordinator, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma; it was soon determined his cancer was due to his job as a volunteer firefighter; and WHEREAS, After doing more research on the subject, Brian McQueen realized that cancer in the fire service was an epidemic, and he was spurred into action to help his fellow firefighters prevent occupational cancer and provide assistance for those who receive a cancer diagnosis; and WHEREAS, In 2014, following his cancer treatments In New York City, Brian McQueen met with two area chiefs and created the Believe 271 Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit foundation aimed at assisting volunteer firefighters and their families in the battle with cancer; to date, this vital organization has assisted 63 firefighters; and WHEREAS, In addition, Brian McQueen developed a two-hour Cancer in the Fire Service training and awareness program which he conducts throughout New York State and nationally; in this capacity, he has educated over 6,270 firefighters and their families from across the country; and WHEREAS, Brian McQueen has been actively involved in fighting firefighter occupational cancer; he worked tirelessly to provide volunteer firefighters with assistance in the event of a cancer diagnosis; and WHEREAS, This extraordinary man was also instrumental in creating a national program to track and analyze data relating to firefighter cancer rates; and WHEREAS, As a New York Director to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), Brian McQueen became co-chair of the NVFC's Cancer Focus Area along with his close friend, Jim Seavey; from this partnership, the plan and design for the 11 Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer and the corresponding Lavender Ribbon Report became a reality; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Brian McQueen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award by the National Volunteer Fire Council; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Brian McQueen.