LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Chief Gary Blitz upon the occasion of
his retirement after many years of dedicated service to the Elmira Fire
Department

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, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the firefighter
has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to spare us from
the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Chief Gary Blitz upon the occasion of his retirement on May 29, 2009,
after many years of dedicated service to the Elmira Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Firefighters and fire departments not only provide the crit-
ical service of fire protection but also engage in other activities of
great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, A 30-year veteran of the Elmira, New York, Fire Department,
Chief Gary Blitz started his firefighting career as a firefighter in
1979; he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1997, and to Captain in March
2004; and
WHEREAS, Gary Blitz was named Chief of the Elmira Fire Department in
July 2005; as Fire Chief he was responsible for a $3.5 million annual
budget and a paid force of 58 firefighters and three civilian staff; he
was the 12th Fire Chief in the history of the Department; and
WHEREAS, In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on New York on
September 11, 2001, Fire Chief Gary Blitz was instrumental in reshaping
the Department to face its new challenges; he has always been a steady,
thoughtful voice, putting the safety of the public first and foremost;
and
WHEREAS, Prior to his career with the Elmira Fire Department, Chief
Gary Blitz was employed by American LaFrance, working his way up from
assembler to group leader foreman and then supervisor in different areas
of fire apparatus production; and
WHEREAS, Chief Gary Blitz was a member of the United States Army
Reserves from 1970 to 1976; he is a certified Emergency Medical Techni-
cian, HazMat Technician, New York State Fire Instructor, and has served
on the STREMS Council, Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, and as
an Executive Board Member of Local 709, Elmira Professional Firefighters
Association; and
WHEREAS, Attending Riverside Elementary School in Elmira, and then the
East Smithfield schools, Gary Blitz graduated from Smithfield-Ridgebur-
y-Ulster High School and attended Elmira College; he also took courses
in fire technology at the New York State Fire Academy at Montour Falls
and Corning Community College; and
WHEREAS, Gary Blitz and his wife of 36 years, Margaret, are the proud
parents of two adult sons, and have five beloved grandchildren; 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
Gary Blitz is such a firefighter; throughout his many years of devoted
service, this firefighter 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 Gary Blitz upon the occasion of his retirement after many

years of dedicated service to the Elmira Fire Department; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Fire Chief Gary Blitz, Elmira Fire Department, Elmira, New
York.