LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Fire Chief Kenneth Ray Boyd upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the Fireman of the Year
Award, The Appreciation Award, and the Leather Helmet Award by the
Marbletown Fire Department

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 Fire Chief Kenneth
Ray Boyd upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Fire-
man of the Year Award, The Appreciation Award, and the Leather Helmet
Award by the Marbletown Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Born July 28, 1959, in Bluefield, West Virginia, Kenneth Ray
Boyd moved to Newark, New York, in 1964, and has since become a highly
respected member of his community; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth Ray Boyd joined the Marbletown Fire Department in
1988, and within three years became the Assistant Chief, a position in
which he remained for 6 years; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, Kenneth Ray Boyd became Chief of the Marbletown Fire
Department; in this capacity, he successfully managed a multitude of
emergency situations, including structure fires, car accidents, ice
storms, snow storms, and several floods; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Chief Kenneth Ray Boyd was responsible for
attaining grants which allowed the department to purchase much needed
equipment, such as an off road vehicle, to provide the best possible
response time; and
WHEREAS, Chief Kenneth Ray Boyd helped bring back the famous Marble-
town Fire Department Barbeque as well as supported the construction of
the BMX track at the firehouse; and
WHEREAS, Chief Kenneth Ray Boyd was recipient of the esteemed Fireman
of the Year Award in 1989 and again in 2006; and
WHEREAS, Acting Member of the Board for 19 years, Chief Kenneth Ray
Boyd has been sincerely dedicated to giving back to the community that
he loves so well; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 31 years, Donna,
their two daughters, and four grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged
to be part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; 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; Kenneth
Ray Boyd is such a firefighter; throughout 23 years of devoted service,
including 12 as Chief, 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 Fire Chief Kenneth Ray Boyd upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of the Fireman of the Year Award, The Appreciation Award,
and the Leather Helmet Award by the Marbletown Fire Department; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Fire Chief Kenneth Ray Boyd.