Honor Swormville Fire Centennial

Assembly Resolution No. 934 BY: M. of A. Norris COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Swormville Fire Company on June 2, 2018 WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Swormville Fire Company and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the citizens of Amherst and Clarence, New York, and the surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, This momentous milestone will be feted at a Centennial Celebration Cocktail Party on Saturday, June 2, 2018; and WHEREAS, The Swormville Fire Company was established on January 25,

1918, in the hamlet of Swormville, New York; this volunteer company has been proudly serving the residents of the towns of both Amherst and Clarence ever since; and WHEREAS, For a century, the dedicated firefighters of the Swormville Fire Company have pledged to provide fire protection, protect life and property, and render services in case of accidents, calamities and other emergencies in connection with which the services of firefighters may be required, to the territory in which operations of the Company principally conducted and to the territory adjacent thereto, including any request for assistance under the mutual aid system; and WHEREAS, The Swormville Fire Company also strives to promote love for our great country, good citizenship, civic virtue and self-sacrifice and to perpetuate the spirit which from the earliest days has actuated volunteer firefighters in the rendition of services of the highest type in the protection of life and property, without the hope of fee or awards; and WHEREAS, On January 22, 1918, 22 men gathered at the home of William Smith and formed the Swormville Fire Company; with the help of the community, William led fundraising efforts to purchase the first fire hall; William would go on to hold the title of Chief for 30 years; and WHEREAS, In that same year, the Swormville Fire Company purchased a

1918 Ford touring car and converted it into a chemical tank truck; and WHEREAS, In early March of 1918, a committee was formed to locate a suitable location to build a fire hall; once again the community came together to raise funds for the property located on the west side of Transit Road next to the William Smith Hotel; and WHEREAS, The Swormville Fire Company held their first marching drill in August of 1918; today, the firefighters continue the long-standing traditions of marching in local parades; and WHEREAS, In late 1919, the firehouse was built and the cornerstone was laid; the new building quickly became the center of activity in the small farming hamlet of Swormville; the ladies auxiliary was formed in

1920, and held regular card parties and dances to raise funds to purchase trucks and other fire equipment; and WHEREAS, Within the next few years, two pumpers were purchased, a cistern was built at St. Mary's Church to insure an adequate water supply, and a siren was installed on the fire hall; and WHEREAS, With continued growth, the Swormville Fire Company decided to expand to a larger facility, which unfortunately, burned to the ground; a new fire hall was built, and is still in use today; and WHEREAS, In the 1930s, the Swormville Fire Company joined the Amherst Fire Council Bowling League, formed a first aid team, established a Red Cross First Aid Station, and was recognized as an exempt organization; and WHEREAS, During World War II, firefighters were asked to operate the Civil Defense aircraft lookout tower on the top of the Graf home just north of the fire hall; and WHEREAS, In 1949, the Swormville Fire Company hosted its first community Christmas Party; in February of 1955, the inaugural annual installation banquet was held, and to this day, it continues to be the highlight of the year for the members; and WHEREAS, By the late 1950s, the Company increased its services by purchasing a first aid truck; during the next decade, the Swormville Fire Company began to operate weekly bingo games; and WHEREAS, In the 1960s, The Swormville Fire Company organized a competitive softball league, and developed a recreational golf league; in 1991, firemen competed in volleyball, euchre, and horseshoes on Brotherhood Day; and WHEREAS, Throughout its storied history, the Swormville Fire Company has continually been at the forefront of change; in 1973, 16 and 17 year-olds were accepted as members, and today, women are an integral part of the Company; and WHEREAS, Education and training is an important component of good fire service; the Swormville Fire Company holds bimonthly drills which focus on firematic and emergency medical training, and presents many state courses covering a variety of topics; every year, many members successfully complete advanced training courses at the New York State Fire Academy located in Montour Falls, New York; and WHEREAS, In addition, members have participated in fire police training classes, and consequently, have received their badges from the Town of Amherst; 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 Swormville Fire 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, 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 Swormville Fire Company to be celebrated on June 2, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Swormville Fire Company.