Honor Fire Company Anniversary

April 30, 2018 WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Protection Hook and Ladder Company One and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 150 years of fire protection to the citizens of Hicksville, New York, and its surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Protection Hook and Ladder Company One to be celebrated at a special meeting on Monday, April 30, 2018, at Peppercorns in Hicksville, New York; and WHEREAS, Citizens of Hicksville have been providing fire protection to its residents since the early 1860s, when a ladder wagon was purchased with donations from the community; the wagon was housed in rented barn space; and WHEREAS, In 1868, Protection Hook and Ladder Company One was officially organized, and operated out of the current Peppercorns Restaurant building, which was moved across the street when a new firehouse was built; and WHEREAS, In the late 1980s, Protection Hook and Ladder Company One moved once again to its present station on Levittown Parkway, which is home to the newest truck in the department, a 2016 100' Sutphen Tower Ladder; and WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 150 years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of Protection Hook and Ladder Company 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, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of Protection Hook and Ladder Company One in public service and fire protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 150 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 Protection Hook and Ladder Company 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, Protection Hook and Ladder Company One reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 150 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 150th Anniversary of Protection Hook and Ladder Company One to be celebrated on April 30, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Daniel Wicks, Captain, Protection Hook and Ladder Company One.