LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Delbe Spath upon the occa-
sion of his designation for special recognition after 54 years of dedi-
cated service as a firefighter by the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's
Association

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 Delbe
Spath upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after
54 years of dedicated service as a firefighter by the Hudson Valley
Volunteer Firemen's Association, celebrated at its Past Presidents
dinner on Saturday, January 26, 2013, at the Holiday Inn in Kingston,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Delbe Spath joined the Chatham Fire Department in 1958 and
became chief in 1964; and
WHEREAS, That same year, Delbe Spath transferred and joined the
Cronomer Valley Department of Newburgh, New York, where he helped to
form the Town of Newburgh Ambulance Corps and served as the first chief;
and
WHEREAS, In 1970, Delbe Spath transferred to Wallkill and joined the
Wallkill Hook, Ladder & Hose Company; and
WHEREAS, Since transferring to Wallkill, Delbe Spath has served as
deputy chief, company president and chairman of the board of fire
commissioners; and
WHEREAS, Delbe Spath is a member and past president of the Ulster
County Volunteer Firemen's Association and is currently on the board of
directors; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Delbe Spath is a member of the Firemen's Associ-
ation of the State of New York and is on the training and education
committee; and
WHEREAS, During his many years of service to the Hudson Valley Fire-
men's Association, Delbe Spath has served on numerous committees and was
a director for eight years; he was elected 2nd vice president in 2010,
1st vice president in 2011, and president in 2012; 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; Delbe
Spath is such a firefighter; throughout his many 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 Delbe Spath upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition after 54 years of dedicated service as a firefighter
by the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Delbe Spath.