Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4, 2026, as Volunteer Firefighters' Appreciation Day in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1248

BY: M. of A. Barrett

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May 4, 2026, as Volunteer Firefighters' Appreciation
        Day in the State of New York

  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,  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 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4, 2026, as  Volunteer
Firefighters'  Appreciation Day in the State of New York, in conjunction
with the observance of International Firefighters' Day; and

  WHEREAS, There are about 80,000 volunteer firefighters in  New  York
State,  according  to  the  Firefighters Association of the State of New
York; 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; and about 46%
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 served and 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4, 2026, as  Volunteer
Firefighters'  Appreciation  Day  in  the  State  of New York; and be it
further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.