LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Joseph F. Loeffler upon
the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 51 years
of dedicated service to the Valatie 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 Joseph
F. Loeffler upon the occasion of his designation for special recogni-
tion after 51 years of dedicated service to the Valatie Fire Department;
and
WHEREAS, Joseph F. Loeffler joined the Valatie Fire Department as a
volunteer firefighter on February 6, 1965, and thereafter rose to the
ranks of Lieutenant and Captain; and
WHEREAS, Joseph F. Loeffler then became the Second Assistant Chief in
April of 1968 and in October of 1968 became the First Assistant Chief;
and
WHEREAS, Joseph F. Loeffler served as Chief of the Valatie Fire
Department in 1969-1983, 1985-1990, 1992-1997, and 2007-2008; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Joseph F. Loeffler has also held numerous
other positions, including President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treas-
urer or Trustee of the Lafayette Chemical Company of the Valatie Fire
Department; he has also been a member of the Valatie Rescue Squad; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the positions he has held with the Valatie
Fire Department, Joseph F. Loeffler served as the President of the
Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters' Association in 1982, Co-Chairman
of the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Valatie Fire Department in
1987, and Chairman of the 175th Anniversary Celebration of the Valatie
Fire Department in 2012, as well as in many other positions over his 51
years of dedicated service; 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; Joseph
F. Loeffler is such a firefighter; throughout 51 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 Joseph F. Loeffler for 51 years of distinguished
service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Joseph F. Loeffler.