Senate Resolution No. 1780

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 80th Anniversary of Westmoreland
Volunteer Fire Department to be celebrated on May 2,
2024

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, for 24 hours a
day, for 365 days a year, for 80 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 Westmoreland 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, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 80th
Anniversary of Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department and to honor its
past and present firefighting members for 80 years of fire protection to
the citizens of Westmoreland, New York and its surrounding communities;
and

WHEREAS, Located in a rural residential area in central Oneida
County, Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department has a response coverage
area of 55 square miles, protecting a resident population in excess of
6,000 people; the coverage area includes a ten mile section of the New
York State Thruway, I-90, between the Utica, Exit 31 and Verona, Exit 33
exchanges, the Thruway's Oneida Service Plaza, and also includes major
gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and natural gas pipelines; and

WHEREAS, Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department was formed on May 2,
1944; eighteen men of the Community met and formed the fire department
on that day, and later, in July of 1944, 37 men attended a meeting and
were considered the charter members of the Organization; and

WHEREAS, In October of 1944, the Town Board appointed the first five
Commissioners, and shortly after a 500-gallon Pump, a 1939 Brockway
truck, and other vital equipment was acquired; and

WHEREAS, Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department's first call was on
March 6, 1947; in September 1947 the Fire Department was incorporated;
and

WHEREAS, In 1948, Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department's first
annual banquet was held at Gavin's Restaurant; then, in 1950 the Fire
Department held its first annual "Field days" and the Commissioners
purchased the Department's first new fire truck which was delivered in
October; and

WHEREAS, In January of 1961, Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department
held its first meeting in the new Main Street firehouse and in 1962 the
"Home alert" radio system was put in service; and

WHEREAS, Coming from humble beginnings on Main Street in the
Village, Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department established their

current station on Station Road; the department serves a diversified
fire district, which includes single and multiple family dwellings,
large and small family farms, a K-12 School District, and business
structures; and

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community
protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 80
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of Westmoreland 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, 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 80th Anniversary of Westmoreland Volunteer Fire
Department to be celebrated on May 2, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Westmoreland Fire Chief Jeffrey Grube.