Assembly Resolution No. 879

BY: M. of A. McMahon

HONORING Firefighter John Karl upon the occasion
of his designation for special recognition after 50
years of dedicated service to the Main-Transit 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
John Karl upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Main-Transit Fire Department,
to be celebrated in 2026; and

WHEREAS, On October 20, 1975, John Karl made the courageous decision
to serve his local community by joining the Main-Transit Fire
Department; and

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

WHEREAS, Born and raised in Williamsville, New York, John Karl and
his beloved wife, Linda, had the pleasure of raising three children,
Adam, Michael, and Nicholas; and

WHEREAS, John Karl comes from a family of firefighters, and he has
followed the footsteps of his father and grandfather by becoming a third
generation firefighter; his father, George, was chief of the
Main-Transit Fire Department and has been the only member to lose his
life in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, John Karl's two brothers, William Karl and Robert Karl,
have also served at the Main-Transit Fire Department, and both have held
the role of chief; and

WHEREAS, Filled with the same sense of duty as their father, all
three of John Karl's children made the commitment to serve at the
Main-Transit Fire Department; Adam serves as chief of the department,
Michael as 1st assistant chief, and Nicholas as an exempt member; and

WHEREAS, Outside of his commitment as a volunteer firefighter, John
Karl is Co-Owner of Refrigeration Sales and Services, which is a
multi-generational family company located in Williamsville, New York;
and

WHEREAS, John Karl has served the Main-Transit Fire Department in
various capacities, including as fire lieutenant, captain, assistant
chief, chief, safety officer, director, and chairman of the board; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his official positions, John Karl has also
served on and chaired numerous committees, including the committees on
House and Grounds, Trucks, Fire Station Renovations, and State and Local
Tournament; and

WHEREAS, John Karl was previously a member of the Slo-Pokes race
team; 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;
John Karl 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 John Karl upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the
Main-Transit Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter John Karl.