Honor Sparrowbush Firefighters Centennial

6, 2017 WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Sparrowbush Engine Company and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the citizens of Sparrowbush, New York and its surrounding communities; this momentous occasion will be celebrated on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Erie Trackside Manor, Port Jervis, New York; and WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 100 years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Sparrowbush Engine 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, Organized on April 24, 1917, the Sparrowbush Fire Department held its first meeting in the old Town Hall, during which time a charter was drawn up consisting of 53 names; the department was known at this time as the Sparrowbush Fire Department of the Water Supply District No.1, and covered a one mile radius from the firehouse; and WHEREAS, The first piece of firefighting equipment was a two wheeled hand pulled chemical truck which held approximately 250 gallons of a mixture of soda and water; a bottle of acid was attached to the top of the tank and when this was dumped into the mixture the result was a stream of water with enough pressure to fight fires; and WHEREAS, Over the years the Sparrowbush Engine Company has added both services and equipment to the company; in 1975, the department expanded to provide first aid care for the district with members becoming qualified as EMT's; and WHEREAS, In 1989, the Sparrowbush Engine Company added a 2,500 gallon pumper-tanker to the fleet, as well as a set of Lucas Rescue tools to be used for extricating patients from automobiles involved In motor vehicle accidents; two years later the International Tanker was replaced with a new GMC 1,800 gallon tanker which was refurbished in

2006, and now has a 1,800 gallon Polly body and tank; and WHEREAS, With the increase of population on the north end of the district in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the district felt the need for a substation to be built; on October 27, 1990, the dedication of Station 2 at 1027 State Route 42 to the community residents was held on property that was donated to the district by George Dean; and WHEREAS, Today, the Sparrowbush Engine Company has a total of 12 pieces of equipment strategically placed in the district; among this equipment is an air boat and a jet ski for water rescue operations, and a Kuboto that was recently donated to the company; and WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of the Sparrowbush Engine Company in public service and fire protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 100 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 Sparrowbush Engine 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, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated by individual firefighters, the Sparrowbush Engine Company reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 100 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 100th Anniversary of the Sparrowbush Engine Company to be celebrated on May 6, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Sparrowbush Engine Company.