Honor North Hoosick Firefighters

Senate Resolution No. 1759 BY: Senator MARCHIONE COMMEMORATING the 70th Anniversary of the North Hoosick Fire Department WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the North Hoosick Fire Department and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 70 years of fire protection to the citizens of North Hoosick, Walloomsac, and East Hoosick; and WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 70 years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the North Hoosick Fire Department have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and have won the praise and respect of the community which they serve; and WHEREAS, This auspicious milestone will be celebrated with two nights of country music; on Thursday, May 11, 2017, the Spirit of Johnny Cash Band will perform, and on Friday, May 12, 2017, the Department will welcome one of the areas hottest country bands Whiskey Highway; and WHEREAS, In addition, the North Hoosick Fire Department will host their famous chicken barbecue; and WHEREAS, The first meeting of the North Hoosick Fire Department took place at the North Hoosick school house on May 1, 1947; Harry N. Weir was nominated as the Chairman, and a committee was named to head the fire protection district; and WHEREAS, The first Board of Directors nominated and elected were: E. Merritt Ashworth, Harry Shaw, Forrest White, Donald George, Harry N. Weir, Gordon Hoag, Arthur Baldwin, Walter Robson, and Ira Fisk; approximately 40 men served as the first volunteer firefighters; and WHEREAS, In October of 1947, the Fire Department ordered its first fire truck, and the following officers were elected: Fire Chief, Clayton Moore; Assistant Chief, John Gaefka; Foreman, Hudson Bassett; and Assistant Foreman, Donald George; and WHEREAS, At a meeting of the Board of Directors on April 5, 1948, Donald George was elected the first President of the Fire Department, Forrest White as Vice President, Ira Fisk as Secretary, and Harry N. Weir as Treasurer; and WHEREAS, The new truck arrived on June 4, 1948, and drills would be held on Thursday nights of each week to get familiar with the new truck; during that year, the North Hoosick Fire Department responded to seven alarms; and WHEREAS, On March 14, 1949, the first Scott Air Packs were bought, and on April 11, 1956, a Ladies Auxiliary was formed; the members included: Lois Allen, Eleanor Baldwin, Ardythe Bender, Caroline Bornt, Alice Casey, Helen Dean, Kathy Gritkas, Betty Harrington, Jean Marsh, Jet Martelle, Janet McLucas, Ruth Slade, Barbara Sprague, Margaret Wheeler, and Betty Wilson; and WHEREAS, In 1965, a new fire station was built on Rt. 22, and was capable of housing three pieces of apparatus, a rest room, a small kitchen, and a hall for the firemen and auxiliary to hold their meetings; in 1996, an addition was added; and WHEREAS, In June of 1973, the Department purchased a new International engine tanker; over the years, the Department hosted numerous fundraisers, the most popular being the sale of their famous clam chowder; and WHEREAS, It was in 1978 that all fire departments in Rensselaer County began to automatically respond to automobile accidents in their fire districts; on April 1, 1979, the North Hoosick Fire Department joined the TY line which made all fire calls go directly to the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Department dispatcher; and WHEREAS, In 1979, the Fire Department began a Muster Team, which consisted of both men and women; the Yellow Jackets team traveled to many locations to participate in competition; and WHEREAS, Two years later, the Department hosted a carnival to help raise funds; due to the success of the event, it was also held in 1982 and 1983; and WHEREAS, Due to its addition in 1997, the Department began to raise funds by holding banquets, weddings, anniversary parties, and bowling banquets; in November of 1998, it held dances for children; and WHEREAS, The North Hoosick Fire Department diligently trains every day to help the members of their community as well as other communities on a mutual aid basis; the Department works on search and rescue operations, pump operations, interior structural firefighting, and vehicle extrication; and WHEREAS, Throughout its storied history, the Fire Department has owned and operated 14 vehicles, and on average, responds to nearly 100 calls per year; and WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of the North Hoosick Fire Department in public service and fire protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 70 years, whenever the alarm sounded, these noble volunteers left their homes and went to the aid of their neighbors; and WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the North Hoosick Fire Department are prepared to risk their lives every day to help save the lives of others and to protect homes and property from the destruction caused by fire; and WHEREAS, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated by individual firefighters, the North Hoosick Fire Department reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 70 years; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude to those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life and property is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility their own by serving as firefighters; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should give special recognition to those who work so assiduously for the betterment of their communities, and acknowledge publicly the heroic good works performed by the volunteer fire departments of this great Empire State, their officers and auxiliaries; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to proudly commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the North Hoosick Fire Department; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the North Hoosick Fire Department.