J 635: Honoring Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department

 Senate Resolution No. 635 BY: Senator GRIFFO HONORING Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department; and WHEREAS, Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger has consistently demonstrated a level of commitment, dedication, integrity and professionalism which truly exemplifies excellence in the volunteer service; and WHEREAS, Daniel John Schwertfeger was born on April 24, 1957, in Utica, New York, to Herman and Jean (Grems) Schwertfeger; he attended Holland Patent Central School District before working for the family business, UAP Engine Rebuilders, Inc., at the age of 16 in 1973; he later became a machinist and, with his wife Bethany, purchased and operated the business from 1998 until their retirement in 2022; and WHEREAS, Daniel John Schwertfeger and the former Bethany Zimmer were united in marriage in November 1982, and together they built a home on Camroden Road in the Town of Floyd, where they have raised their two daughters, Renee Morrison and Heather Bates, and are proud grandparents to three grandchildren: Avery Morrison, Tanner Bates, and Brooklyn Bates; and WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of the Town of Floyd, Daniel John Schwertfeger joined the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department in May of 1975, at the age of 18, following in the footsteps of his father, Herman Schwertfeger, who was Chief at the time; and WHEREAS, With an enduring commitment to the safety and well-being of the residents of the Town of Floyd and the surrounding areas, Daniel John Schwertfeger rose through the ranks of Lieutenant (1977), Captain (1978-1980), 2nd Assistant Chief (1981-1983), and 1st Assistant Chief (1984-1985), ultimately becoming the Chief of the Floyd Fire Department in 1986, a position he held until his retirement in 2020 after 35 years of exemplary service as Chief; and WHEREAS, Following the passing of Chief John Stark, Sr. in 2023, Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger returned to serve as Chief once again in 2024, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the fire department and community; and WHEREAS, Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger served as the President of the Oneida County Fire Chiefs Association in 1996, and as President of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs from 2015-2016, representing the interests of fire departments across the state; and WHEREAS, During his tenure as Chief, Daniel John Schwertfeger oversaw significant improvements to the Floyd Fire Department, including the replacement of all fire apparatus with updated equipment, as well as the design and construction of a multimillion-dollar addition to the aging fire station; and WHEREAS, Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger also contributed to the development of a two-story maze facility at the Floyd Fire Department, which has become an essential training resource not only for the Floyd Fire Department but for neighboring departments and State instructors through the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs; and WHEREAS, In addition to his fire service, Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger served for over 10 years on the Town of Floyd Board as a Councilman, further demonstrating his commitment to public service and the well-being of his community; 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; Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger is such a firefighter; throughout 50 years of devoted service, this volunteer 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 honor Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger.