Senate Resolution No. 765

BY: Senator OBERACKER

HONORING Chief Walter P. Schmitt Jr. upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the West
Oneonta 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, 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 Chief Walter
P. Schmitt Jr. upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the West Oneonta
Volunteer Fire Department to be celebrated Sunday, May 7, 2023, at the
Oneonta Town Hall; and

WHEREAS, Walter P. Schmitt Jr. joined the West Oneonta Fire
Department in February of 1973; throughout his 50 years of service, he
held several positions within the Department including 2nd Assistant
Chief, 1st Assistant Chief, and currently, Chief of the Department; he
became Chief in 1989, and has held that position since; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, Walter P. Schmitt Jr., on behalf of the West
Oneonta Fire Department, successfully advocated for, and obtained, a
grant from Marcy-South Powerline for a 4x4 pickup truck to be used as a
utility and brush truck for the Department; in the years since, Walter
P. Schmitt Jr. helped secure several grants from various sources for
new and added equipment, as well as replacement vehicles for the
original fleet; and

WHEREAS, Chief Walter P. Schmitt Jr. has been extremely active in
supporting the NYS Association of Fire Chiefs yearly hands-on training,
and has also scheduled several FASNY training sessions for the West
Oneonta Fire Department and surrounding departments; furthermore, he has
supported the NYS Fire Academy at Montour Falls, supplying equipment to
run pump and water supply refreshers for training officers; and

WHEREAS, Most recently, Chief Walter P. Schmitt Jr. has been
instrumental in helping to secure a new replacement engine for both of
the Department's attack engines; the new truck was granted under the
Chief's able leadership in a vote on April 18, 2023; 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;
Chief Walter P. Schmitt Jr. is one such firefighter; throughout 50 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 Walter P. Schmitt Jr. upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the West
Oneonta Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Chief Walter P. Schmitt Jr.