Senate Resolution No. 5042

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

COMMENDING Honorary Captain Donald Franz upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to Truck Company
2, of the Mineola Fire Department

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 commend Honorary
Captain Donald Franz upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to Truck Company 2, of
the Mineola Fire Department to be celebrated at an event on Saturday,
May 19, 2018, at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, New York; 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, Donald Franz proudly served his country as a member of the
United States Navy; after completing basic training at Floyd Bennet Air
Field, he was shipped out to the Atlantic Fleet; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Donald Franz
returned to his hometown of Mineola, New York, and began working for
Grumman before becoming a Corrections Officer; shortly thereafter, he
realized he wanted to pursue a career in fire service; and

WHEREAS, Since 1969, Donald "Don" Franz has been an active member of
Truck Company 2, of the Mineola Fire Department; throughout his tenure,
he has served "The Workhorse Company" in numerous capacities including
Vice President from 1986-1987, and President from 1988-1989; and

WHEREAS, A kind and compassionate man, Donald Franz chaired the Sick
Committee for many years ensuring that anyone from the Mineola Fire
Department family who was sick or injured got a visit and a gift; handy
with a wrench, he helped restore the Company's 1939 Diamond T
Floodlight; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting dedication to the
Company, Donald Franz was the recipient of both the 1984 and 2012 Truck
2 Firefighter of the Year Award, and was elevated to the esteemed rank
of Honorary Captain of Truck Company 2; and

WHEREAS, Donald Franz has also been a member of numerous Truck
committees lending his technical expertise and experience, and served as
the Department's First Aid Captain; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, Donald Franz received Mineola Fire Department's
highest recognition, the prestigious Firefighter of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, Donald Franz joined the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps
(MVAC) in 1979; he went on to become one of the Corps longest serving
active members with 37 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, Donald Franz held the titles of Captain
from 1996-2001, and Safety Officer from 2001-2006; he then stepped up to
fill an unexpected vacancy in the chiefs' office; one year later, he was
named Honorary Chief; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Donald Franz was the recipient of
numerous awards and accolades including the MVAC EMT of the Year Award,
Garden City American Legion Law and Order Award and the 1999 Nassau
County REMSCO BLS Provider of the Year Award, as well as the 2004 and
2012 EMS Leadership Award Honorable Mention by REMSCO; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his volunteer service, Donald Franz worked
for the Nassau County Sheriff's Department, and became a career
firefighter with the Garden City Fire Department in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Donald Franz quickly rose through the ranks, attaining the
title of Lieutenant; in this role, he coordinated training for the new
members; he was named the 1995 Garden City Fire Department Firefighter
of the Year, the only career firefighter to be bestowed with this
esteemed honor; in 2006, Donald officially retired from the Department
after 32 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his 50 years of dedicated service, Donald Franz
has always been willing to lend a hand or offer a bit of advice; he
often helped other departments, without asking for any recognition; and

WHEREAS, Donald Franz is also a lifelong member of Boy Scout Troop
45, where he serves as Assistant Scoutmaster; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Marla; their two
sons, Chris and Bobby; and their seven grandchildren, Bryan, Timothy,
Thomas, James, Jack, Stephen and Michaela, all of whom have shown him
love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; 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;
Honorary Captain Donald Franz is such a firefighter; throughout 50 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 Honorary Captain Donald Franz upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service
to the Truck Company 2, of the Mineola Fire Department; and be it
further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Honorary Captain Donald Franz.