Senator Fuschillo Honors Wantagh Firefighter for 50 Years of Service

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 31^st, 1960, rising through the department’s ranks to hold leadership positions as a Lieutenant, Captain, 3^rd Assistant Chief, 2^nd Assistant Chief, and 1^st 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 6^th 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.