Assembly Resolution No. 1060

BY: M. of A. Blankenbush

HONORING Richard A. Duerr, Sr., upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition after
many years of dedicated service to the Volunteer
Fire Police Association of the State of New York

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; New York State
firefighters are renowned throughout the Nation; their reputation is
synonymous with excellence in the arduous field of fire protection and
prevention; 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 Richard A.
Duerr, Sr., upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after many years of dedicated service to the Volunteer Fire Police
Association of the State of New York (VFPASNY), to be celebrated at its
72nd Annual Convention at the Hilton Garden Inn, located in Watertown,
New York, from April 25-28, 2024; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Camden, New York, Richard A. "Dick" Duerr,
Sr., proudly served his country as a Communications Yeoman Second Class
in the United States Navy from 1965-1969; and

WHEREAS, Active in his community, Richard A. Duerr, Sr., has
volunteered for 51 years of his life as a firefighter for the Camden
Volunteer Fire Department where he has held the positions of Assistant
Chief, all business titles, and Fire Police Captain for 26 years;
additionally, he has been a member of American Legion Post No. 66 for 26
years; and

WHEREAS, A Life Member of the Volunteer Fire Police Association of
the State of New York, Richard A. Duerr, Sr., serves as its current
President, the esteemed position he previously held from 2013-15; he has
also served as the Association's Editor for the VFPASNY Newspaper and
Chairman with the Fire Police Seminar; and

WHEREAS, As a dedicated member of the Oneida County Volunteer Fire
Police Association, Richard A. Duerr, Sr., has fulfilled the roles of
Past President, Life Member, Originator of the Task Force, and Chaplain
of the Association, to name a few; furthermore, for three years, he has
been a part of the New York State Chaplains Association, conducting
various memorial and funeral services; and

WHEREAS, For the Oneida County Volunteer Firefighters Association,
Richard A. Duerr, Sr., has been the Director from the Camden Volunteer
Fire Department, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Chaplain; he is also a member of

the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY), teaching
a Fire Police Review class in numerous counties of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, Richard A. Duerr, Sr., has served his
community in more personal ways, including acting as Santa Claus for
various organizations and occasionally driving a school bus for Camden
Central School; and

WHEREAS, Numerous awards have been bestowed upon Richard A. Duerr,
Sr., over the years, including the George Woodman Award for Excellence,
seven President's Awards for Community and Fire Police Leadership,
VFPASNY Fire Police Officer of the Year Award, and certificates and
plaques for appreciation and recognition; he has also received a special
certificate for 50 years of service; and

WHEREAS, A member of the Volunteer Fire Police Association, Richard
A. Duerr, Sr., has given freely and passionately of his time,
expertise, and knowledge in furthering the training of volunteer fire
police throughout the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Richard A. Duerr, Sr., has consistently demonstrated a
level of commitment, dedication, integrity, and professionalism which
truly exemplifies excellence in the volunteer service; he has given not
only of his time and energies but also of his competence, intelligence,
and leadership and consequently has been designated for special honor;
and

WHEREAS, Richard A. Duerr, Sr., was married to Nancy Jane (Cole)
Duerr until her death in 2016; one of his two sons, Richard Allan Duerr,
Jr., also passed in 2017; his other son, Robert, and two granddaughters
are among the family and friends who know this selfless firefighter and
feel privileged to be a part of his life, rejoicing in his achievements;
and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Richard A. Duerr, Sr., has
displayed throughout his life; 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;
Richard A. Duerr, Sr., is such a firefighter; throughout his 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 Richard A. Duerr, Sr., upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition after many years of dedicated service to the
Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Richard A. Duerr, Sr., President, Volunteer Fire Police
Association of the State of New York.