Honor Bolton Fire Centennial

Senate Resolution No. 231 BY: Senator LITTLE COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Bolton Volunteer Fire Company on October 13, 2018 WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Bolton Volunteer Fire Company and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the citizens of Bolton Landing, New York, and its surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, To celebrate this milestone, a parade will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2018, and will march from Rogers Memorial Park on the south end of Bolton Landing to the Fire Station; and WHEREAS, Incorporated in 1918, the Bolton Volunteer Fire Company was led by Chief Hiram F. Seaman and was located on Horicon Avenue; the company operated a Model T Ford which was replaced with a Brockway fire truck in 1922; and WHEREAS, In 1929, the Bolton Volunteer Fire Company took delivery of a top of the line pumper truck, an American LaFrance, which was labeled "No. 1"; the "29" as she's affectionately called, remains a vital fixture in the Company; and WHEREAS, The Bolton Rescue Squad was formed after Chief Ken Palmer trained nine high school boys to administer first aid; the squad responded with the ambulance to aid the sick and injured under the leadership of James Baird Maranville; in 1938, the Bolton Volunteer Fire Company took over the duties of the squad under the direction of Marcus Merrill, and was funded by local philanthropists Dr. D. L. and Kitty Rogers; and WHEREAS, In 1938, the Brockway fire truck was retired and replaced with a bigger pumper, a 1938 American LaFrance, labeled "No. 2"; in

1956, the current firehouse on Main Street was built, and in the early 1970s, the members constructed a two-bay addition; and WHEREAS, As the two-way radio made its debut in the 1960s and 1970s, the firefighters used Plectrons, a home desktop receiver; in the late 1970s and early 1980s, firefighters carried Minitors; during this time, the Warren County Sheriff's Department began dispatching fire companies throughout the county; and WHEREAS, Through the years, many changes have taken place in the Bolton Volunteer Fire Company; in 2011, the Bolton Rescue Squad split from the fire company; however, it continues to reside within the firehouse; 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 Bolton Volunteer 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, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of the Bolton Volunteer Fire 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, Under the luminous leadership of Chief Jeremy Coon and Captain Erich Neuffer, the brave firefighters of the Bolton Volunteer Fire 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 Bolton Volunteer Fire 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 Bolton Volunteer Fire Company on October 13, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Jeremy Coon, Chief, and Erich Neuffer, Captain of the Bolton Volunteer Fire Company.