Senate Resolution No. 1386

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Firefighter Robert Kerr upon the occasion
of being named the 2016 Fireman of the Year by the
Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department on May 6, 2017

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and
bravery every day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great
country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Robert Kerr
upon the occasion of being named the 2016 Fireman of the Year by the St.
Lawrence County Fire Chiefs Association, to be celebrated at a party
held in his honor on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Norfolk Fire Station One
in Norfolk, New York; and

WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Kerr joined the Norfolk Volunteer Fire
Department on February 2, 1980; throughout his 37 years of service, he
diligently worked to ensure that his fellow firefighters were trained
for the tasks they may face, and that firefighter safety was the
department's number one priority; and

WHEREAS, Bob Kerr has spent much of his volunteer career developing
and teaching a radio communications class throughout St. Lawrence County
in hope of improving fire ground operations and safety; he also
encouraged future leaders to train, train, and train in order to become
better officers and to develop improved interpersonal skills; and

WHEREAS, From 1982-2006, Bob Kerr was a member of the Fort Drum Fire
Department, where he rose through the ranks and was named Chief in 1996;
in September of 2006, he retired from the Department; and

WHEREAS, Bob Kerr has also been a participant of the Norfolk
Volunteer Fire Department since 1980; from 1984-1987, he held the
esteemed title of Fire Chief; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, Bob Kerr was elected to the Norfolk Board of Fire
Commissioners, and was reelected to the position in 2012; in this
capacity, he has spearheaded several successful Assistance to
Firefighter Grant applications, upgrades to equipment, and most
recently, chaired a New Engine Committee which led to the signing of a
purchase contract for a new 2017 E-One Custom engine; in addition, for
the last year, he has served as the Chairman of its Board of Directors;
and

WHEREAS, Currently, Bob Kerr holds the position of Deputy
Coordinator for Training at the St. Lawrence County Office of Emergency
Services, and Vice Chairman of the St. Lawrence County Fire Training

Center, Inc., an entity developed and incorporated by the St. Lawrence
County Fire Chiefs Association; and

WHEREAS, Bob Kerr also serves as the co-Chair of the fundraising
committee which raised funds to construct the new burn building at the
training center site in West Potsdam; he is a representative from St.
Lawrence County on the Garrett Loomis Foundation, which supports
firefighter training through seminars as well as grant funding to fire
departments in the tri-county area; and

WHEREAS, Bob Kerr is a life member of the International Association
of Fire Chiefs, and is an active member of the New York State
Association of Fire Chiefs; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to fire
service, Bob Kerr has been the recipient of numerous awards and
accolades; from 1984-1987, he was named the Military Sector Fire Chief
of the Year, and was the recipient of the Norfolk Volunteer Fire
Department Firefighter of the Year Award in both 1987 and 2010; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his exemplary career, Bob Kerr has graciously
served as a mentor to each member of the Norfolk Volunteer Fire
Department; time and time again, he has proven to be a selfless leader
who has been dedicated to protecting each of his Brothers and Sisters in
the Fire Service; and

WHEREAS, When he is not at the firehouse, Bob Kerr enjoys spending
time with his family and his dog, Jake; he also refurbishes antique fire
extinguishers and transforms them into beautiful lamps; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife of 41 years, Lee;
their three daughters, Kristie Perretta, Lynn Wright, and Kathi Kerr;
and their five grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part
of his life and rejoice in his accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to
respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; 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;
Robert Kerr is such a firefighter; throughout 37 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 Robert Kerr upon the occasion of being named the 2016 Fireman of
the Year by the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department on May 6, 2017; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter Robert Kerr.