LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Philip Delorenzo upon the occasion of
receiving the 2009 Fire Service Community Achievement Award from the
Firemen's Association of the State of New York on June 1, 2009

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our valiant firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery
every day in the course of their duties; and
WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout
the Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the ardu-
ous field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Philip Delorenzo upon the occasion of receiving the 2009 Fire Service
Community Achievement Award from the Firemen's Association of the State
of New York on Monday, June 1, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Philip Delorenzo is a man of singular distinction who has
continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence
and diligent leadership in his service to his community and the Piermont
Volunteer Fire Department and consequently has been selected to receive
this most prestigious honor; and
WHEREAS, A 65-year member of the Piermont Volunteer Fire Department,
Philip Delorenzo joined the fire service in 1943, and continues to be an
active member of Empire Hose Company No.1; and
WHEREAS, Philip Delorenzo was appointed as acting Chief of the Pier-
mont Fire Department in 1959, and was elected and served as Chief from
1960 until 1961; in 1965, he organized the Piermont Fire Department
Under Water Rescue Diving Team; he also organized the Ex-Chiefs Associ-
ation of the Piermont Fire Department in 1962; and
WHEREAS, Philip Delorenzo's total dedication and commitment to the
Piermont Volunteer Fire Department has never wavered in his 65 year
membership as he continues to be a tremendous asset to the Department
today; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his service to the Piermont Volunteer Fire
Department, Philip Delorenzo was elected President of both the Rockland
County Fire Chief's Association and the Rockland County Volunteer Fire-
men's Association; he has served on many committees and projects
throughout Rockland County, including the Rockland County Fire Services
Museum and as a trustee to the Rockland County Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, Philip Delorenzo also enrolled in numerous fire safety and
training courses and was elected Vice President of the Rockland County
Cemetery Board; moreover, he was an active member in the New York-New
Jersey Firemen's Association and moved through the chairs and was
elected President in 1994-1995; and
WHEREAS, A World War II veteran, Philip Delorenzo served as a proud
member of the United States Coast Guard; he diligently worked for 30
years in the maintenance department of the Rockland Psychiatric Center;
and
WHEREAS, Philip Delorenzo has also served the community as a Building
and Zoning Inspector, Police Commissioner, Public Safety Officer, Train-
ing Officer, Building Construction and Code Enforcement Officer and a
Village Trustee; and
WHEREAS, Philip Delorenzo is a graduate of both the National Fire
Academy and New York State Fire Academy; he holds a certificate in
Public Safety from Mercy College and is also an instructor at the Rock-
land County Fire Training Center; and
WHEREAS, In 1947, Philip Delorenzo married his lifelong friend,
Rachel; together they raised three children, Philip, Susan and Phylis,

before her untimely passing in 1972; Philip later married his present
wife of 34 years, Dolores, also a widow, and he became a father to four
more children, Mary, Barbara, Jeanne and Matthew; 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; Philip
Delorenzo is such a firefighter; throughout 43 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 Philip Delorenzo upon the occasion of receiving the 2009 Fire
Service Community Achievement Award from the Firemen's Association of
the State of New York on June 1, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Philip Delorenzo.