LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Earl Ward for 50 years of dedicated
volunteer fire service in Cayuga County

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
brave citizens, who have played a significant role in making our commu-
nity what it is today, and whose tireless contributions and sacrifices
have improved the safety of our residents; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Earl
Ward for 50 years of dedicated volunteer fire service in Cayuga County;
and
WHEREAS, Earl Ward joined the Owasco Fire Department on December 14,
1964, serving as a volunteer firefighter within that department and
completing his first training course, the New York State Essentials of
Firemanship, on August 5, 1965; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Earl Ward moved to the Village of Weedsport and
subsequently joined the Weedsport Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Earl Ward has held many positions during his volunteer
service with the Weedsport Fire Department, eventually rising to the
rank of Assistant Fire Chief, a position he held from 2000 to 2002; and
WHEREAS, Earl Ward was also one of the first Advanced Life Support
certified Emergency Medical Technicians when the Weedsport Fire Depart-
ment Ambulance made the decision to become one of the first Advanced
Life Support equipped agencies in the county; and
WHEREAS, Still an active member of the Weedsport Fire Department, Earl
Ward responds to fire alarms, attends meetings, assists with events, and
mentors other firefighters in the department; and
WHEREAS, During his 50 years of dedicated fire service in Cayuga Coun-
ty, Earl Ward completed numerous fire protection and safety courses,
participated in many training courses that included Fire Pump Operations
and Emergency Vehicle Operation and Control, and gained certification as
a New York State Emergency Medical Technician; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his long and distinguished volunteer service with
both the Owasco and Weedsport Fire Departments, Earl Ward has responded
to thousands of emergency calls, helped to advance fire department tech-
nology, and improved the safety of countless residents living within his
community; and
WHEREAS, In addition to being a firefighter, Earl Ward is involved
with the Northern Central Volunteer Fireman's Association, the Fireman's
Association of the State of New York, and the American Red Cross; 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; Earl
Ward is such a 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, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause to honor Earl Ward for 50
years of dedicated volunteer fire service in Cayuga County; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Earl Ward.