Senator Helming Honors Heroic Geneva Firefighter

GENEVA – During the Geneva Fire Department’s recent clambake at Seneca Lake State Park, Senator Pam Helming presented Mr. Joe Adulte, a firefighter with Hydrant Hose Company No. 1, with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal. The Liberty Medal is awarded to individuals who have earned special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers. It is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate. In July, Mr. Adulte was off-duty at a swimming pool in the City of Geneva when he noticed a baby girl drowning at the bottom of the pool. Without hesitation, he jumped into the pool fully clothed and removed the baby girl from the water, saving her life.

“Firefighter Joe Adulte is truly a hero who demonstrates great courage and diligence not just in this moment but throughout his career. He continually devotes himself to public service and to the care and welfare of the citizens he is tasked with serving and protecting. When someone demonstrates the true meaning of being a hero – as Mr. Adulte did that day – they deserve commendation for their actions. That is why I consider it a privilege to honor Mr. Adulte for his courageous and meritorious actions and present him with this Liberty Medal. Thank you to Mr. Adulte and his family as well as Fire Chief Michael Coombs and so many members of the Geneva Fire Department for joining us, and thank you to fire department for helping to recognize Mr. Adulte,” Senator Helming said.