LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending outgoing Chief John McKenna upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after many years of
dedicated service to the Northport 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 outgoing Chief John
McKenna upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after many years of dedicated service to the Northport Fire Department,
to be celebrated at its Annual Dinner on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at
Huntington Crescent Club in Huntington, New York; and
WHEREAS, John McKenna has served the Northport Fire Department as
Chief from 2010-2012, 1st Assistant Chief from 2008-2010 and 2nd Assist-
ant Chief from 2006-2008; and
WHEREAS, Prior to that, John McKenna served the Department as Captain
of the Hook and Ladder Company from 2004-2006, 1st Lieutenant from
2002-2004, and 2nd Lieutenant from 2000-2002; and
WHEREAS, Since 1988, John McKenna has served as both an E.M.T. and the
Village of Northport Fire Marshall; for the last ten years, he has
served as an advisor to Smoke Eaters (Junior); and
WHEREAS, Moreover, John McKenna has worked for Northport Village as
Fire Houseman since 1989; and
WHEREAS, John McKenna has been the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades including: Hook and Ladder Fireman of the year in 1988; The
Scoop and Run award for over 100 rescue calls in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992,
1993, 1994, 1995, 2007 and 2010; and the Northport Fire Department Life
Saving Medal 1996, 2001 and 2007; and
WHEREAS, A valued and involved member of his community, John McKenna
is also Commander of "The Sons of the Legion", Northport American Legion
post 694, Northport, and serves on the National Board of St. Baldrick's
Foundation which raises funds to help with children's cancer research;
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; John
McKenna is such a firefighter; throughout his many 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 Chief John McKenna upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition after many years of dedicated service to the
Northport Fire Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John McKenna.