LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Chief Donald Corkery upon the
occasion of being selected as President of the Suffolk County Fire
District Officers Association

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 volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to congratulate Chief Donald
Corkery upon the occasion of being selected as President of the Suffolk
County Fire District Officers Association; and
WHEREAS, Donald Corkery began his fire service career with the Wyan-
danch Fire Company in the fall of 1969; his dad was a firefighter with
the Massapequa Engine Company No. 5, and his father-in-law is a Wyan-
danch ex-chief; and
WHEREAS, Donald Corkery moved to Sayville, New York, and joined Resol-
ute Hose Company No. 1 of the Sayville Fire Department in 1972; he began
the progression as a line officer in 1976, and was elected as a lieuten-
ant and then captain of his company; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, in 1981, Donald Corkery was elected to assistant
chief, followed by acting chief in 1984; he served as chief of the
department from 1985-1987; and
WHEREAS, Active within the community, Donald Corkery served as Presi-
dent of the Islip Town Fire Chiefs Council, as well as the Suffolk Coun-
ty Fire Chiefs Council; in 1982, he was appointed a Deputy Fire Coordi-
nator for Suffolk County; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, he later served as the Chief Deputy Fire Coordi-
nator from 1992 to 2005, and as Deputy Commissioner of Suffolk County
Fire/Rescue and Emergency Services in 2005; he has been a member of the
New York State Association of Fire Chiefs since 1980, and served on the
Public Education, Codes, Life Safety, and Conference Committees for 18
years; and
WHEREAS, Donald Corkery began his profession as a fireman on a locomo-
tive for the Long Island Railroad, followed by a locomotive engineer; he
worked in the Training Division for 25 years, and retired as the Direc-
tor of Training in 2004; and
WHEREAS, In addition to training Long Island Railroad employees, his
responsibilities included training firefighters from the New York City,
Nassau, and Suffolk Counties on railroad safety; he was also an instruc-
tor for the Suffolk County Fire Academy; and
WHEREAS, Today, Donald Corkery is an active member of his department,
and is the Blue Jays Drill Team driver; he is completing his fifth five-
year term as Fire Commissioner; and
WHEREAS, In his spare time, when not serving his community, Donald
Corkery rides with the "Riders of Fire" Motorcycle Club; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 37 years, Laura,
and their two children, Brian and Kate, all of whom feel privileged to
be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; 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; Donald
Corkery 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
congratulate Donald Corkery upon the occasion of being selected as Pres-
ident of the Suffolk County Fire District Officers Association; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chief Donald Corkery.