Honor Fire Department Centennial

Senate Resolution No. 2475 BY: Senator BRESLIN COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Stanford Heights Fire Department on February 8, 2020 WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the Stanford Heights Fire Department and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the citizens of Stanford Heights, New York, and its surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, This momentous occasion will be celebrated at the Department's Annual Banquet on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at the Marriott in Albany, 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 Stanford Heights 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, On June 12, 1920, residents of the area known as Stanford Heights in the Towns of Niskayuna and Colonie, New York, met at Harry Sharpley's store at 3901 Albany Street in response to a series of severe fires during the previous year; and WHEREAS, A week later on June 20, 1920, 43 residents were sworn in as members of the Stanford Heights Fire Department including George Harppenger as Chief, Harry Sharpley as Assistant Chief, and H.E. Filkins as Secretary; the following month, the department purchased land for its first firehouse at the corner of Amherst and State Street; and WHEREAS, On March 2, 1921, the Stanford Heights Ladies Auxiliary was formed and through the years, this vital organization has played an important and well-appreciated role in supporting the department through raising funds, lending a hand with social and community events, and providing firefighters with food and refreshments during or following a major alarm; and WHEREAS, During the three years following its formation, the Stanford Heights Fire Department continued to grow, and on May 23, 1923, it was deemed a legal entity; two decades later, it became a taxable district in the Town of Niskayuna, New York; and WHEREAS, In 1938 the fire department was able to raise enough funds to replace its existing 1929 Ford Pumper with its first custom-built fire engine; 17 years later, the District purchased two new stations and two new trucks for $90,000; Station 1 was built at its current location at 2240 Central Ave and a small Station 2 was constructed at 250 Morris Road; and WHEREAS, Over the years, both stations have undergone several renovations and additions to accommodate the firefighting and rescue demands of the growing district; and WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of the Stanford Heights Fire Department 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 John Courter, the brave firefighters of the Stanford Heights 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 Stanford Heights Fire Department 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 Stanford Heights Fire Department on February 8, 2020; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to John Courter, Chief, Stanford Heights Fire Department.