Senate Resolution No. 635

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Floyd
Volunteer 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 Chief Daniel
John Schwertfeger upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Floyd Volunteer
Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger has consistently
demonstrated a level of commitment, dedication, integrity and
professionalism which truly exemplifies excellence in the volunteer
service; and

WHEREAS, Daniel John Schwertfeger was born on April 24, 1957, in
Utica, New York, to Herman and Jean (Grems) Schwertfeger; he attended
Holland Patent Central School District before working for the family
business, UAP Engine Rebuilders, Inc., at the age of 16 in 1973; he
later became a machinist and, with his wife Bethany, purchased and
operated the business from 1998 until their retirement in 2022; and

WHEREAS, Daniel John Schwertfeger and the former Bethany Zimmer were
united in marriage in November 1982, and together they built a home on
Camroden Road in the Town of Floyd, where they have raised their two
daughters, Renee Morrison and Heather Bates, and are proud grandparents
to three grandchildren: Avery Morrison, Tanner Bates, and Brooklyn
Bates; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of the Town of Floyd, Daniel John
Schwertfeger joined the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department in May of 1975,
at the age of 18, following in the footsteps of his father, Herman
Schwertfeger, who was Chief at the time; and

WHEREAS, With an enduring commitment to the safety and well-being of
the residents of the Town of Floyd and the surrounding areas, Daniel
John Schwertfeger rose through the ranks of Lieutenant (1977), Captain
(1978-1980), 2nd Assistant Chief (1981-1983), and 1st Assistant Chief
(1984-1985), ultimately becoming the Chief of the Floyd Fire Department
in 1986, a position he held until his retirement in 2020 after 35 years
of exemplary service as Chief; and

WHEREAS, Following the passing of Chief John Stark, Sr. in 2023,
Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger returned to serve as Chief once again in
2024, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the fire department and
community; and

WHEREAS, Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger served as the President of
the Oneida County Fire Chiefs Association in 1996, and as President of
the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs from 2015-2016,
representing the interests of fire departments across the state; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure as Chief, Daniel John Schwertfeger
oversaw significant improvements to the Floyd Fire Department, including
the replacement of all fire apparatus with updated equipment, as well as
the design and construction of a multimillion-dollar addition to the
aging fire station; and

WHEREAS, Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger also contributed to the
development of a two-story maze facility at the Floyd Fire Department,
which has become an essential training resource not only for the Floyd
Fire Department but for neighboring departments and State instructors
through the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his fire service, Chief Daniel John
Schwertfeger served for over 10 years on the Town of Floyd Board as a
Councilman, further demonstrating his commitment to public service and
the well-being of his community; 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;
Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger 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 Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service
to the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Chief Daniel John Schwertfeger.