Honor Goshen Fire Company

Senate Resolution No. 3739 BY: Senator BONACIC COMMEMORATING the 175th Anniversary of The Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of The Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 175 years of fire protection to the citizens of Goshen, New York, and its surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a special event on Saturday, March 3, 2018; and WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 175 years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of The Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and have won the praise and respect of the community which they serve; and WHEREAS, In 1843, The Cataract Engine & Hose Company was the first fire company established in Goshen, New York, after two serious blazes virtually destroyed several Main Street buildings in the area today known as Lawyer's Row; and WHEREAS, On August 29, 1843, Company Number One, originally named Goshen Hook & Ladder Co., accepted its first 10 men, under the helm of Foreman Joseph D. Pardee; and WHEREAS, One month later, the Company purchased its first fire truck, a hand-pulled and pumped black and gold beauty, resplendent with hand-carved wooden Indians; and WHEREAS, On January 2, 1844, the Company was renamed Orange Fire Company Number One; after a period of dwindling membership and interest due to few fires, the Company reorganized, and became The Goshen Fire Company on June 8, 1849; and WHEREAS, At this time, First Assistant Foreman L.I. Winans, Secretary S.H. Strong, Treasurer Wm. Sayer and Steward A. Payne were installed as new officers; and WHEREAS, After the Company's pumper broke down in 1855, it was replaced by a new hand-operated truck named Cataract; the firemen loved the name so much they decide to call themselves The Cataract Engine Co. in 1856; and WHEREAS, In 1857, The Cataract Engine Co. finally moved into their first firehouse, a wood frame structure near the site of the present Main Street station; and WHEREAS, In 1866, at the Village's request, the Cataracts absorbed the Protection Hose Co. and the new company became known as The Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One - Goshen, NY; and WHEREAS, With the creation of additional fire companies in 1871 and

1873, Goshen Fire District created an additional office, Chief Engineer; on December 18, 1871, when Rescue Hook & Ladder Co. was formed, Charles Elliott, a Cataract, was appointed the department's first Chief; and WHEREAS, Through the next decade, the Company created the executive positions of President, Wm. H. Wyker, and Chaplain, Robert Bruce Clark; in addition, a Financial Secretary, M. Lundy, and Second Assistant Foreman, John Dougherty were added to the line officer staff; in 1923, the Foreman and his assistants officially changed their titles to Captain, First Lieutenant, and Second Lieutenant; and WHEREAS, The Cataracts flourished under President Wyker's luminous leadership, and by 1891, they purchased new dress uniforms; on October

6, 1892, the smartly dressed and thoroughly drilled Cataract Co., accompanied by the Goshen Cornet Band, marched in a parade in Newton, New Jersey; to this day, all three Goshen Fire Companies enthusiastically carry on this proud marching tradition; and WHEREAS, In 1971, the Cataract Company purchased and donated a 7,000 gallon tanker powered by a Mack "Maxidyne" tractor to the Goshen Fire District; the tanker significantly improved fire protection in outlying areas not serviced by water mains; and WHEREAS, Today, the Cataracts continue to serve the Goshen community in their new firehouse on Green Street; and WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One in public service and fire protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 175 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 Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One 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, Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 175 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 175th Anniversary of Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One.