Honor Fire Company Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 5014 BY: Senator BONACIC COMMEMORATING the 145th Anniversary of the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 145th Anniversary of the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 145 years of fire protection to the citizens of Goshen, 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 145 years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and have won the praise and respect of the community which they serve; and WHEREAS, The Dikeman Engine & Hose Company is one of three all-volunteer fire companies that make up the Goshen Fire Department located in Orange County, New York; jointly, the firefighters provide firematic and rescue services to the 12,000 residents of the Goshen Fire District; and WHEREAS, The Dikeman Engine & Hose Company was named in honor of one its founders, Edwin Dikeman, who was a prominent citizen and top firefighter in Goshen during the mid-1800s; he was named an honorary member of the Excelsior Hose Company of Port Jervis, and he represented the Dikeman Hose Company at a firematic convention held in Kingston, New York, in 1882; and WHEREAS, The Dikeman Engine & Hose Company was officially established on September 11, 1873, at a meeting with the village trustees; the following night, founding fathers George Smith, William H. Wood, John T. LaRoe, E.T. Sparks, Edward Dalton, G.P. Crans, and Jerry Baldwin met in a room over Dikeman's Drug Store on West Main Street to discuss the new Company and select officers; and WHEREAS, William H. Wood was named Foreman, E.T. Sparks became the Assistant Foreman, G.P. Crans was chosen as Secretary, and John T. LaRoe became Treasurer; six days later, another meeting convened and the Company was named Dikeman Hose Company No. 3; at this time, Abram Fuller, Charles Wells, James McManus, H.S. Wilcox, and William Dayton were elected members of the Company; and WHEREAS, Dikeman Hose Company No. 3 answered their first call in April of 1874 when the alarm sounded and called them to a fire in the West Main Street building occupied by Hoyt's Dry Goods Store; and WHEREAS, The Company stored their equipment at a Greenwich Avenue blacksmith shop; after three moves, they finally moved to their current location at 10 Dikeman Drive in 1885; and WHEREAS, Throughout its storied history, several dedicated firefighters made many lasting contributions to the Company; some of these meritorious leaders include: Charles E. Wright, who served as Foreman for 11 years and held the position of President; The Honorable J.B. Sweezey was President for many years; and James Lundy who held many offices within the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company; and WHEREAS, From 1918-1922, Dikeman firefighter Edward J. Farrell served as the Goshen Fire Department's first Chief; 11 years later, another Dikeman firefighter, Joseph C. Donovan, was elected to the esteemed position; and WHEREAS, After almost three decades, Alfred R. Turi was chosen as Chief of the Department in 1966; in addition to being a great leader, he promoted fire training and was a student of fire science and tactics; he was also instrumental in organizing the Goshen Fire District as it is known today and served as Orange County Fire Coordinator in the years following his term as Chief; and WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company in public service and fire protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 145 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 Dikeman Engine & Hose Company 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, 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 145th Anniversary of the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company.