LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter William J. Palmer, Sr.
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50
years of dedicated service to the Ovid 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 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 commend Firefighter William
J. Palmer, Sr. upon the occasion of his designation for special recog-
nition after 50 years of dedicated service to the Ovid Fire Department,
to be observed at an Open House Celebration on Sunday, October 21, 2012,
at the Ovid Fire House, Ovid, New York; and
WHEREAS, William J. Palmer, Sr. began his career as a firefighter on
January 2, 1962, with the Ovid Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, After enlisting in the United States Navy, William J. Palmer,
Sr. began serving as a member of Lakeshore Volunteer Fire Department in
Jacksonville, Florida; and
WHEREAS, Upon returning to New York, William J. Palmer, Sr. continued
his service to the Ovid Fire Department, serving as Lieutenant, Captain,
2nd Assistant Chief, 1st Assistant Chief, and finally as Chief of the
Ovid Fire Department, a position he still holds today; and
WHEREAS, William J. Palmer, Sr. also serves as a member of Ovid Fire
Department's Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, William J. Palmer, Sr.'s accolades include Lakeshore Volun-
teer Fire Department's Firefighter of the Year in 1967, Seneca County's
Firefighter of the Year Awards in 1984 and 2006, and Seneca County's
2003 Pete Scannell Award; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his firematic career, William J. Palmer, Sr.
retired in 2006 from the Village of Ovid as Superintendent of Public
Works with almost 40 years of service; and
WHEREAS, A valued and involved member of his community, William J.
Palmer, Sr. has served as Chairman and member of the Ovid Strawberry
Festival Committee for over 20 years, and is also a Town of Ovid Coun-
cilman; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Bonnie, their six
children, Chris, Tim, Julie, John, Arlo, and William Jr., 16 grandchil-
dren and four great-grandchildren, 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; William
J. Palmer, Sr. 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
commend Firefighter William J. Palmer, Sr. upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service
to the Ovid Fire Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to William J. Palmer, Sr.