POUGHKEEPSIE – Newly elected Senator Rob Rolison, who served as mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie from 2016 until the end of 2022 when he assumed his state post, was honored by the Poughkeepsie Fire Department at a recent ceremony. Rolison has headed to Albany to follow in his father’s footsteps. The late Senator Jay Rolison served in the state senate from 1966-1990, and was a big supporter of the fire service, according to his son.
The Poughkeepsie Fire Department had presented the elder Rolison with an official fire helmet as a tribute to his support of the fire department On the day the younger Rolison took his ceremonial oath of office in front of family, friends, supporters, and others, Poughkeepsie Fire Chief Joe Franco and members of the department presented an almost identical helmet to their former mayor and now their state senator.
Joined by Deputy Chief Vinnie Parisi, Captain Stephen Sutka, and Firefighter Nick Bucher, the department’s union president, Franco, showing the helmet, told the audience, “This is a token of our appreciation for all of the work that Rob Rolison has done for the City of Poughkeepsie.”
The department and the union, IAFF Local 596 split the cost of Rolison’s helmet. Union President Nick Bucher explained the gift to Mid-Hudson News, saying “In addition to being a personal friend, Senator Rolison has been a great friend to our union. It was an honor to be there for the presentation of his helmet,” while wishing Rolison luck and success in Albany.
Rolison became emotional when he accepted the helmet and recalled how his father, who had a law office in Poughkeepsie, lost the first helmet he was given when the contents of his office were destroyed in a fire. A few years later, Senator Jay Rolison was invited to the union’s annual banquet, accompanied by the newest Senator Rolison. At the dinner, Rolison said, his father was presented with a new helmet. Fighting back tears, Rolison recalled how his father turned to him at the dinner and said, “This is one of the greatest things that’s ever happened to me.”
The new senator told everyone that his new helmet will be going to Albany along with the replacement helmet presented to his late father. “You will always have a steadfast supporter for this fire department and every first responder in the state,” for as long as he serves in Albany.
Video of the presentation:
