Senate Resolution No. 2783

BY: Senator GOLDEN

HONORING Chief of Safety Paul Cresci upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2017
Person of the Year Award by the Columbia Association
of the New York City Fire Department on June 15,
2017

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble 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 of
Safety Paul Cresci upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2017 Person of the Year Award by the Columbia Association of the New
York City Fire Department to be celebrated at its 83rd Annual
Scholarship Dinner Dance on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at Russo's on the
Bay, Howard Beach, New York; and

WHEREAS, After graduating college, Chief of Safety Paul Cresci began
a career with the Social Security Administration, a position he held for
nine years; even though the job was challenging and rewarding, he felt a
desire to help people by becoming a firefighter; and

WHEREAS, Following in his father's footsteps, Chief of Safety Paul
Cresci joined the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) in 1976; he began
his distinguished career at Ladder Company 144, where he would stay
throughout his 31 years of service; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Chief of Safety Paul Cresci was assigned
to Engine Company 298, Ladder Company 127; he quickly rose through the
ranks, as a Lieutenant, Chief Cresci was assigned to Engine Company 43;
and

WHEREAS, Promoted to Captain, Paul Cresci worked in the Bureau of
Fire Prevention and covered in Division 13; as a Battalion Chief, he
helped Chief Meyers and Chief Galvin reestablish the Manhattan Borough
Command; during this period, he was a vital member of the Columbia
Association Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, As a Deputy Chief, Paul Cresci had the honor of working in
Division 1, and then the Bureau of Training; his various assignments
have exposed him to every aspect of the job, and he has had the
opportunity to learn from fire, EMS and civilian members of the FDNY and
has a great respect for what each and every employee provides toward the
achievement of the goals of this Department; and

WHEREAS, In November of 2014, Paul Cresci was promoted and
designated the Chief of Safety; in this role, he is dedicated to

protecting the members of the FDNY, and is involved in all elements of
the Department; and

WHEREAS, Under Chief of Safety Paul Cresci's luminous leadership,
the dedicated staff of the Safety Command is constantly monitoring
operations to safeguard its members and spot trends or patterns which
may lead to injuries; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Maria, and their
two children, Paul and Anne, all of whom have all shown him love and
support and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected public servants 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 of Safety Paul Cresci is such a firefighter; throughout 31 years
of devoted service, he has 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 Chief of Safety Paul Cresci upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of the 2017 Person of the Year Award by the Columbia
Association of the New York City Fire Department on June 15, 2017; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Chief of Safety Paul Cresci.