Assembly Resolution No. 273

BY: M. of A. Lemondes

HONORING Firefighter Martin J. Thomas upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Memphis
Fire Department

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and
bravery every day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great
country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Firefighter
Martin J. Thomas upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Memphis Fire
Department on Thursday, June 3, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Martin J. Thomas, affectionately known as Marty, has
consistently demonstrated a level of commitment, dedication, integrity
and professionalism which truly exemplifies excellence in the volunteer
service; and

WHEREAS, A member of the Memphis Fire Department since June 3, 1971,
Martin J. Thomas quickly climbed the ranks to become Lieutenant, Captain
and Assistant Chief; he also served two terms as President of the
Memphis Fire Department, Inc., as well as President of the merged
Warners Memphis Fire Company, Station No. 2; and

WHEREAS, In 1973, Martin J. Thomas joined the Onondaga County
Firefighters Underwater Search and Rescue Team as a public safety diver;
he continues to participate in training and responds to rescue and
recovery calls; furthermore, he is a past President of the Team; and

WHEREAS, Martin J. Thomas is a New York State Certified Emergency
Medical Technician (EMT), and has attained recertification three
consecutive times; he served as a volunteer EMT with the Jordan Fire
Department Ambulance until 2013, and was also a First Aid and CPR
Instructor; and

WHEREAS, In addition, this extraordinary man has served in the
prestigious position of Trustee of the Firemen's Association of the
State of New York (FASNY) Firemen's Home since 2018; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his profession, Martin J. Thomas has been a
dedicated member of FASNY since 1979; he joined the Onondaga County
Volunteer Firemen's Association (OCVFA) in 1980, where he is a Life
Member and presently serves as Sergeant-At-Arms; he is also a Life
Member, Director and past President of the Northern Central New York
VFA, as well as a member of the Central New York VFA; and

WHEREAS, Raised in the volunteer fire service, Martin J. Thomas'
parents, Herbert and Pat Thomas, were both very involved at the local,
county, sectional and state levels; he has followed in his father's
footsteps as firefighter for the Memphis Fire Department, President of
the Northern Central New York VFA and as Trustee of the FASNY Firemen's
Home; and

WHEREAS, Martin J. Thomas graduated from Jordan-Elbridge Central
High School and Auburn Community College, and has enjoyed a long and
illustrious career with Crucible Industries for more than four decades;
and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, April, and their
three children, as well as four grandchildren, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his many
achievements; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to
respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; 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;
Martin J. Thomas is such a firefighter; throughout 50 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 Firefighter Martin J. Thomas upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the
Memphis Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter Martin J. Thomas.