Honor Saranac Lake Firefighters

August 13, 2016 WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department and to honor its past and present firefighting members for more than a century of fire protection to the citizens of Saranac Lake, New York, and its surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, This auspicious milestone will kick off with a grand parade through downtown Saranac Lake featuring the Quigley Highlanders Band from Ontario, Canada, on Saturday, August 13, 2016; and WHEREAS, Throughout the day, the celebration will continue with a "touch a truck" apparatus display featuring fire trucks from all around the area at the Saranac Lake Civic Center, as well as entertainment for children including Belly Button the Clown, bounce houses, face painting, cotton candy, hot dogs, hamburgers and much more; topping off the festivities, the Saint Joseph Rehabilitation Center will host a Chicken Barbecue dinner featuring live entertainment from Elvis Presley impersonator Donny Romines (Donny Elvis) inside the Civic Center; and WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 125 years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Saranac Lake Volunteer 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, 125 years ago in this small Adirondack town, Eugene Woodruff from the Woodruff Hose Company and Milo Miller from the Miller Hose Company, raced against each other to be first on scene when fires arose; and WHEREAS, In 1891, these two rugged men had the foresight to understand that instead of competing it would be more efficient to work together; under their leadership, the Woodruff and Miller Hose Companies joined forces to become the Woodruff-Miller Hose Company, officially creating what was to become the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department; and WHEREAS, The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department has a very long and proud history of community service which continues today under the luminous leadership of Chief Brendan Keough; and WHEREAS, In 2001, the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department was instrumental in aiding New York City following the attacks of 9/11; several members were dispatched with R-148 to provide Emergency Medical Service (EMS) coverage in a mutual aid capacity to a staging area; eventually, the members were moved forward to assist in providing EMS coverage to Ground Zero; and WHEREAS, In October and November of 2012, crews from the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and from throughout Franklin County were deployed to the New York City area in the wake of "Superstorm Sandy"; the Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake members provided relief by manning the station and responses of Engine Company 214 of the Freeport Long Island Fire Department whose members suffered damage and destruction of their personal homes; and WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department in public service and fire protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 125 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 Saranac Lake Volunteer 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 Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 125 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 125th Anniversary of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department to be celebrated on August 13, 2016; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Chief Brendan Keough, Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department.