LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Ben Crowl upon the occa-
sion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedi-
cated service to the Caton Fire Department

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 Ben
Crowl upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after
50 years of dedicated service to the Caton Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Ben Crowl joined the Caton Fire Department in June 1965; he
served as President for 10 years and Chief for 10 years, as well as one
term (five years) as Fire Commissioner; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Firefighter Ben Crowl was a member of the Fire
Advisory Board, President of Steuben County Fireman's Association, a
charter member of the Steuben County Chiefs Association, and the first
911 commissioner; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Ben Crowl also served as co-chairman of the Fire-
man's Fire Training Weekend for six years at the County Training Center
and was a New York State Fire Instructor for Steuben County; and
WHEREAS, At Corning Incorporated, in 1984, he was asked to reconstruct
their Fire Brigade and establish an EMS team; he also acted as the Chief
for 10 years; the corporate safety policies that were implemented at his
plant became the benchmark for all of Corning Inc.'s domestic plants;
and
WHEREAS, Recently, Firefighter Ben Crowl was asked to step back into
his role as Acting Commissioner for the Caton Volunteer Fire Department
to assist the department until December of 2016; 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; Ben
Crowl 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,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Firefighter Ben Crowl for 50 years of distinguished service; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Ben Crowl.