Senator Fuschillo Honors Wantagh Firefighter for 50 Years of Service
February 9, 2011
Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today honored Ex-Chief John Barrett for his 50 years of community service as a volunteer firefighter in the Wantagh Fire Department.
“All volunteer firefighters deserve our appreciation and respect for their service, but we owe a special debt of gratitude to John Barrett. For 50 years, he has selflessly served the community as a volunteer firefighter and helped safeguard the families and businesses who call Wantagh home. I congratulate him on reaching this milestone and thank him for his many years of service to the Wantagh community,” said Senator Fuschillo.
Mr. Barrett joined the Wantagh Fire Department on October 31st, 1960, rising through the department’s ranks to hold leadership positions as a Lieutenant, Captain, 3rd Assistant Chief, 2nd Assistant Chief, and 1st Assistant Chief before becoming Chief of the Department in 1978. After serving as Chief, Mr. Barrett later served several years as a Commissioner, and continues to serve as a delegate to the 6th Battalion Chief’s Association.
After thanking Ex-Chief Barrett for his many years of service, Senator Fuschillo presented him with a copy of a legislative resolution honoring his 50 years of dedicated service to the Wantagh community. The Senate recently passed the resolution, which Senator Fuschillo sponsored, ensuring that Ex-Chief Barrett’s name and record of service will forever be part of the New York State Senate’s official record.
Senator Fuschillo (right) is pictured as he presents the legislative resolution to Ex-Chief John Barrett (left) and thanks him for his 50 years of service to the Wantagh community.
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Senate Resolution No. 136
BY: Senator FUSCHILLO
COMMENDING Ex-Chief John T. Barrett upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the Wantagh
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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Ex-Chief John T. Barrett upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the
Wantagh Fire Department; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on
Saturday, February 12, 2011, at a ceremony to be held in his honor at
the Marriott Hotel in Uniondale, New York; and
WHEREAS, John T. Barrett has devoted over 50 years of distinguished
service to the Wantagh Fire Department, commencing with his appointment
on October 31, 1960, as firefighter number 736; and
WHEREAS, Initially assigned to Engine 696, John T. Barrett
transferred to Engine 693, then to Engine 691, then to Engine 695 and,
thereafter, to Rescue 6916; and
WHEREAS, John T. Barrett held Wantagh Fire Department offices as
Lieutenant and Captain, Engine 693; 3rd Assistant Chief; 2nd Assistant
Chief and 1st Assistant Chief; he also served as Chief of the Department
from May 1, 1978 through April 30, 1980; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Ex-Chief John T. Barrett held office as
Company Number 1 Corresponding Secretary, Vice President and President;
and
WHEREAS, Currently serving as a delegate for the 6th Battalion
Chief's Association, Ex-Chief John T. Barrett also served as Wantagh
Fire District Commissioner from 1982 through 1987; and
WHEREAS, John Barrett and his wife, Kay, are the proud parents of
two sons, Thomas and Kevin; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only
provide the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other
activities 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;
Ex-Chief John T. Barrett is such a firefighter; throughout his many
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 Ex-Chief John T. Barrett upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to the
Wantagh Fire Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ex-Chief John T. Barrett; Wantagh Fire Department,
Wantagh, New York.
