LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending outgoing Fire Chief Michael Johnson
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 18
years of dedicated service to the Spring Valley Fire Department, Spring
Valley, New York

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout the
Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the arduous
field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend outgoing Fire Chief
Michael Johnson upon the occasion of his designation for special recog-
nition after 18 years of dedicated service to the Spring Valley Fire
Department to be celebrated at its 89th Annual Dinner on Saturday, May
2, 2009, at the New York Country Club, Spring Valley, New York; and
WHEREAS, Chief Michael Johnson quickly rose through the ranks of the
department and held all of the officer positions; in April of 2003, he
was elected Battalion Chief and served as a Chief Officer for six years,
holding the esteemed position of Chief of the Department from 2007 until
2009; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure, Chief Johnson led the Department with
great pride; he commanded the busiest fire department in Rockland County
which responds to over 1000 incidents every year; and
WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; 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; Michael
Johnson is such a firefighter; throughout his 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
commend outgoing Fire Chief Michael Johnson upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition after 18 years of dedicated service
to the Spring Valley Fire Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to outgoing Fire Chief Michael Johnson.