LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Ex-Chief Alan Gassen upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition by the North Lindenhurst Fire
Department for 45 years of dedicated service on February 21, 2009

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 commend Ex-Chief Alan
Gassen upon the occasion of his designation for special honor by the
North Lindenhurst Fire Department in recognition of his 45 years of
dedicated and distinguished service to the Department; and
WHEREAS, Ex-Chief Alan Gassen will be honored at the North Lindenhurst
Fire Department's 52nd Annual Inspection Dinner, to be held at the
Department's Straight Path Headquarters on Saturday, February 21, 2009;
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;
Ex-Chief Alan Gassen is such a firefighter; throughout 45 years of
devoted service, he has heroically performed, above and beyond the call
of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; and
WHEREAS, Alan Gassen joined the North Lindenhurst Fire Department on
June 8, 1964; after he completed his firematic training, he became a
member of Engine Company No. 1 and is currently a member of Hook, Ladder
& Engine Company No. 3; and
WHEREAS, He became a Second Lieutenant for Engine Company No. 1 in
1968 and continued to advance in the Line Officer ranks, becoming a
First Lieutenant in 1969, Captain in 1970, Second Deputy Chief in 1972,
First Deputy Chief in 1973, and Chief of the Department, serving ably in
that capacity from 1975-1979, and later, in 2003, Ex-Chief Alan Gassen
was elected Captain of Hook, Ladder & Engine Company No. 3; and
WHEREAS, Alan Gassen has also served the North Lindenhurst Fire
Department as Drill Team Lieutenant and Captain, and as an Executive
Board Trustee from 1985-1996, 1998-2002, 2003-2004 and, once again,
since 2008; and
WHEREAS, Ex-Chief Alan Gassen was, in addition, active in the communi-
ty's Fire Prevention Program in 1972; he helped form the Junior Fire
Department in 1975 and served as its Advisor for more than 20 years, and
he was instrumental in the adoption of the Suffolk County Advanced Life
Support (ALS) protocols by the Department's Rescue Squad in 1977; and
WHEREAS, An outstanding and dedicated firefighter, he was named Fire-
fighter of the Year in 1978 and 1984; he was a member of the Life Saving
Team of Joseph Felicio, was honored for the life saving of Katherine
Blackburn in 1978, and earned an American Legion Award for Service to
the Community in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Alan Gassen is retired from the Suffolk County Sheriff's
Office and is a lifelong resident of North Lindenhurst, where he and his
wife Donna raised their two sons and their daughter; and
WHEREAS, Alan Gassen has given countless hours in service to the North
Lindenhurst Fire Department and his community and truly merits the

recognition and appreciation of his community and this Legislative Body
on behalf of the people of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ex-Chief Alan Gassen as he is honored on February 21, 2009, for
45 years of distinguished service with the North Lindenhurst Fire
Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ex-Chief Alan Gassen.