The New York State Senate

K1177

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Kenneth Pienkowski upon the occasion of
his retirement from his post as President of the Firemen's Association
of the State of New York (FASNY) after 50 years of dedicated fire
service

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our valiant firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery
every day in the course of their duties; and
WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," a volunteer fire-
fighter has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to spare
us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Kenneth Pien-
kowski upon the occasion of his retirement from his post as President of
the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY), after more
than 50 years of dedicated fire service; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth Pienkowski's career will be celebrated at a testimo-
nial clambake sponsored by the Central New York Firemen's Association
and the Onondaga County Firemen's Convention Committee at the Spinning
Wheel Restaurant in North Syracuse on September 29, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1872 in Auburn, New York, the Firemen's Asso-
ciation of the State of New York (FASNY) is the respected voice for
legislation, regulation and standards while serving as the preeminent
resource for recruitment, education and retention for fire and EMS
personnel in the State; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth "Ken" Pienkowski, an alumnus of the National Fire
Academy in Maryland, began his illustrious firefighting career in 1967,
at the age of 18 when he followed his family's tradition and joined the
Taunton Volunteer Fire Department in the Town of Onondaga; as a member,
he worked his way up through the firematic and corporate offices, serv-
ing as both Fire Chief and President; and
WHEREAS, Ken Pienkowski has also served as President of the Onondaga
County Volunteer Firemen's Association and President of the Onondaga
County Fire Chiefs Association; he has also been a member and has served
on several of the two associations' committees; and
WHEREAS, Ken Pienkowski went on to serve on the Board of Directors for
the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC), and was the
President of NYSAFC from 2002 to 2003; and
WHEREAS, Ken Pienkowski advanced to become the New York State Director
for the Eastern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs
from 2002 until 2007; and
WHEREAS, Before being elected to the Board of Directors of the Fire-
men's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) in 2006, Ken Pienkow-
ski served on the association's Membership and Fire Chiefs committees;
he also has been involved in FASNY in other capacities, including serv-
ing as Director on the FASNY Foundation Board, and more recently, as
Chairman of the FASNY Insurance Committee and the Convention and Exhib-
its Committee; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, Ken Pienkowski was elected as FASNY 2nd Vice Presi-
dent, before being elected 1st Vice President in 2014; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, Ken Pienkowski was elected President of FASNY; as
FASNY's highest-ranking official, he is responsible for setting forth an
operational and legislative agenda on behalf of the state's 110,000
volunteer firefighters; and
WHEREAS, In this capacity, Ken Pienkowski has promoted a platform of
leadership, training, health and safety, and fire ground awareness; 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; Ken
Pienkowski is such a firefighter; throughout his years of devoted
service, he has performed above and beyond the call of duty; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Barbara, whom he
married in 1979, and their two children, James and Jennifer, as well as
his grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life
and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Ken Pienkowski is a retired member of the United Auto Workers
Union, formerly working for Chrysler; he has been an insurance profes-
sional while continuing his involvement in community affairs since his
retirement; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and having contributed to the growth and excellence of this
great Empire State, Ken Pienkowski, in every capacity in which he
served, has left a permanent mark on the Firemen's Association of the
State of New York and his community at-large; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Kenneth Pienkowski upon the occasion of his retirement from his
post as President of FASNY after more than 50 years of fire service; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kenneth Pienkowski.