LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Jim VanDeusen upon the
occasion of having the Columbia County Fire Training Tower in Philmont,
New York dedicated in his honor

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, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Firefighter Jim
VanDeusen upon the occasion of having the Columbia County Fire Training
Tower in Philmont, New York dedicated in his honor; and
WHEREAS, The County of Columbia currently utilizes a fire training
tower located in the Village of Philmont to provide valuable and neces-
sary training for Columbia County fire companies; and
WHEREAS, James VanDeusen has been chosen for this great honor for a
lifetime of service and this Tower has been officially dedicated and
named the James VanDeusen Fire Training Tower in special recognition of
his years of dedication and service to the community; and
WHEREAS, James VanDeusen has dedicated his efforts and time to more
than 50 years of volunteer fire service, serving as a volunteer fireman,
deputy fire coordinator, and the Columbia County Fire Coordinator since
1996; and
WHEREAS, Mr. VanDeusen's efforts were instrumental in organizing and
overseeing the completion of building of the Columbia County Fire Train-
ing Tower; he has expanded the Fire Coordinator's Office and the number
of County fire instructors to promote firematic services in Columbia
County; and
WHEREAS, Mr. VanDeusen has been instrumental in the start of the juve-
nile fire setting remedial program, and assisted with the development
and growth of Columbia County's Haz-Mat and Cause & Origins teams to the
degree that these teams have received accolades from across the state;
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; Fire-
fighter Jim VanDeusen is such a firefighter; throughout 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 Firefighter Jim VanDeusen upon the occasion of having the Colum-
bia County Fire Training Tower in Philmont, New York dedicated in his
honor; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Jim VanDeusen.