LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Firefighter Ray Pauley upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the 2015 Fire Chief's Award by the
Grand Island Fire Company on January 9, 2016

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 honor Firefighter Ray
Pauley upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2015
Fire Chief's Award by the Grand Island Fire Company, celebrated at its
Annual Installation of Officers Ceremony on Saturday, January 9, 2016;
and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Ray Pauley received this auspicious award for his
52 years of active service and lifetime commitment to the Grand Island
Fire Company (GIFC); he has led the yearly top 10 responders list for
numerous years, and has been the primary driver out of the company's
station No. 3 for whichever piece of apparatus needed to respond; and
WHEREAS, Since 1999, Firefighter Ray Pauley has responded to over
12,000 calls with the Grand Island Fire Company; in 2006 alone, he went
on 1,110 calls; and
WHEREAS, A positive role model, Firefighter Ray Pauley has had a
tremendous affect not only on the numerous lives that have been saved
because of his service to the organization and the Grand Island communi-
ty, but also to the newer generations of firefighters who he has passed
on both his knowledge and expertise in the fire service so they may also
have a successful career with the GIFC; and
WHEREAS, After moving to Grand Island, New York, Ray Pauley joined the
GIFC in 1963; seven years later, he was elected to the rank of Second
Assistant Chief, followed by his selection to First Assistant Chief, a
title he held from 1971-1973; and
WHEREAS, From 1980-1983, Chief Ray Pauley again served as Second
Assistant Chief; he then held the position of Deputy Chief from
1984-1988; and
WHEREAS, In 1989, Chief Ray Pauley attained the rank of Fire Chief, a
title he held for two years; his commitment to the GIFC did not end
there, he then served an additional 20 years on its Board of Directors;
and
WHEREAS, Since 1999, Firefighter Ray Pauley has served as the public
information officer for the GIFC; 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; Ray
Pauley is such a firefighter; throughout 52 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 Ray Pauley upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2015 Fire Chief's Award by the Grand Island Fire Compa-
ny on January 9, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Ray Pauley.