Senate Resolution No. 5252

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

HONORING Kenneth Pienkowski upon the occasion of
his retirement from his post as President of the
Firemen's Association of the State of New York
(FASNY) after 50 years of dedicated fire service

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our valiant firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery
every day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," a 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 justly proud to honor Kenneth
Pienkowski upon the occasion of his retirement from his post as
President of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY),
after more than 50 years of dedicated fire service; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth Pienkowski's career will be celebrated at a
testimonial clambake sponsored by the Central New York Firemen's
Association and the Onondaga County Firemen's Convention Committee at
the Spinning Wheel Restaurant in North Syracuse on September 29, 2018;
and

WHEREAS, Established in 1872 in Auburn, New York, the Firemen's
Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is the respected voice for
legislation, regulation and standards while serving as the preeminent
resource for recruitment, education and retention for fire and EMS
personnel in the State; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth "Ken" Pienkowski, an alumnus of the National Fire
Academy in Maryland, began his illustrious firefighting career in 1967,
at the age of 18 when he followed his family's tradition and joined the
Taunton Volunteer Fire Department in the Town of Onondaga; as a member,
he worked his way up through the firematic and corporate offices,
serving as both Fire Chief and President; and

WHEREAS, Ken Pienkowski has also served as President of the Onondaga
County Volunteer Firemen's Association and President of the Onondaga
County Fire Chiefs Association; he has also been a member and has served
on several of the two associations' committees; and

WHEREAS, Ken Pienkowski went on to serve on the Board of Directors
for the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC), and was the
President of NYSAFC from 2002 to 2003; and

WHEREAS, Ken Pienkowski advanced to become the New York State
Director for the Eastern Division of the International Association of
Fire Chiefs from 2002 until 2007; and

WHEREAS, Before being elected to the Board of Directors of the
Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) in 2006, Ken
Pienkowski served on the association's Membership and Fire Chiefs

committees; he also has been involved in FASNY in other capacities,
including serving as Director on the FASNY Foundation Board, and more
recently, as Chairman of the FASNY Insurance Committee and the
Convention and Exhibits Committee; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, Ken Pienkowski was elected as FASNY 2nd Vice
President, before being elected 1st Vice President in 2014; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, Ken Pienkowski was elected President of FASNY; as
FASNY's highest-ranking official, he is responsible for setting forth an
operational and legislative agenda on behalf of the state's 110,000
volunteer firefighters; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Ken Pienkowski has promoted a platform of
leadership, training, health and safety, and fire ground awareness; 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;
Ken Pienkowski is such a firefighter; throughout his years of devoted
service, he has performed above and beyond the call of duty; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Barbara, whom he
married in 1979, and their two children, James and Jennifer, as well as
his grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life
and rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, Ken Pienkowski is a retired member of the United Auto
Workers Union, formerly working for Chrysler; he has been an insurance
professional while continuing his involvement in community affairs since
his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and having contributed to the growth and excellence of this
great Empire State, Ken Pienkowski, in every capacity in which he
served, has left a permanent mark on the Firemen's Association of the
State of New York and his community at-large; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Kenneth Pienkowski upon the occasion of his retirement from his
post as President of FASNY after more than 50 years of fire service; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kenneth Pienkowski.