LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ronald Beckwith upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2009 Chenango County Firefighter of the
Year Award

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, 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, This Legislative Body is proud to honor Ronald Beckwith upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2009 Chenango County
Firefighter of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, It all began when Ronald Beckwith's father decided a local
fire department was necessary in their community and, along with other
community members, began the McDonough Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, As a member of both the McDonough and Pharsalia Fire Depart-
ments, Ronald Beckwith has held the Office of Fire Chief for 21 years,
eight with McDonough and 13 with Pharsalia; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career he has responded to and has been in
charge of many types of incidents, including motor vehicle accidents,
tornados, and building fires, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Ronald Beckwith oversaw the purchase of
Pharsalia's first new Fire Engine; together with the truck committee,
they designed the details and took delivery of their new engine in 2001;
and
WHEREAS, Continuing in his role as a leader, Ronald Beckwith, realiz-
ing a need for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers in the Pharsa-
lia Fire District, stepped up to the plate and became a Certified First
Responder within the last couple of years; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his two devoted sons, who he
too, just like his own father, has passed on the tradition of becoming a
firefighter; he has successfully instilled in them the courage to act,
the desire to serve, and the ability to perform; 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; Ronald
Beckwith 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
honor Ronald Beckwith upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the 2009 Chenango County Firefighter of the Year Award; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ronald Beckwith.