Honor Watertown Fire Department

28, 2017 WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the Bicentennial Anniversary of the Watertown Fire Department and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 200 years of fire protection to the citizens of Watertown, New York, and its surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 200 years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Watertown 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, Throughout two centuries, the Watertown Fire Department firefighters have fought countless fires and responded to numerous accidents, ambulance calls, and storm damage, as well as other emergencies; and WHEREAS, The Watertown Fire Department was initially created in 1817 as a volunteer unit for the Village of Watertown; and WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Fire Chief Dale Herman, the Watertown Fire Department protects the City of Watertown, with a team of diligent and enthusiastic career personnel; and WHEREAS, The department is staffed with 81 full time personnel working a four platoon system, with operations conducted from three stations located throughout the City of Watertown in order to provide adequate response to emergencies; and WHEREAS, Providing protection to Watertown's 9.3 square mile City, in 2010, the Department responded to 3,533 calls for assistance and covers services in fire prevention, fire suppression, medical services, vehicle extrication, fire investigation, special rescue services including structural collapses, rope rescues, and water and ice rescues, and hazardous materials response; and WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of the Watertown Fire Department in public service and fire protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 200 years, whenever the alarm sounded, these noble firefighters went to the aid of their neighbors; and WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Watertown 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 Watertown Fire Department reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 200 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 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 200th Anniversary of the Watertown Fire Department, celebrated on May 28, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dale Herman, Fire Chief, Watertown Fire Department.