LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after more
than 44 years of dedicated service to the New York City 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, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Fire Commissioner
Salvatore J. Cassano upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after more than 44 years of dedicated service to the New
York City Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Salvatore J. Cassano, lifelong resident of New York City, was
appointed Fire Commissioner by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, effective
January 1, 2010; he is the 32nd Fire Commissioner in the 148-year histo-
ry of the New York City Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano has held every
uniformed rank, and heads the world's largest fire department with more
than 16,000 fire, EMS and civilian members; and
WHEREAS, From 2006 to 2010, prior to his appointment by the Mayor,
Salvatore J. Cassano served as the New York City Fire Department's Chief
of Department, the highest-ranking uniformed officer, overseeing many of
the agency's most important bureaus including Fire and EMS Operations,
Training, Safety, Fire Prevention, and Communications; and
WHEREAS, From 2001 to 2006, Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano
served as Chief of Operations, a position he was appointed to immediate-
ly after Sept. 11, 2001; both as Chief of Operations and Chief of
Department, he played a crucial role in rebuilding the department in the
wake of September 11, and the loss of 343 members of the department; and
WHEREAS, Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano's illustrious career
with the New York City Fire Department began with his appointment as a
firefighter on November 29, 1969; he steadily rose through the ranks
with promotions to lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, deputy chief,
deputy assistant chief, and assistant chief; five times during his
career, he was cited for bravery, each time for rescuing New Yorkers
from burning buildings; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining the New York City Fire Department, Fire
Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano served his country as a member of the
United States Army from October 1965 through July 1967, and was deployed
to Vietnam in September 1966; and
WHEREAS, While a firefighter, Salvatore J. Cassano attended John Jay
College of Criminal Justice and received a Bachelor of Science degree in
Fire Science; he also earned an honorary law degree from St. John's
University in May 2013; and
WHEREAS, In September 2009, Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano was
awarded France's highest decoration, the Legion D'Honneur by French
President Nicolas Sarkozy; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Theresa, and their
five children, as well as six grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged
to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; 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, 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; Fire
Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano is such a firefighter; throughout more
than 44 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
commend Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano for more than 44 years of
distinguished service to the New York City Fire Department; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano.