Senate Resolution No. 2673

BY: Senator RHOADS

COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the Wantagh
Fire Department

WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Wantagh 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 Wantagh Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 125 years; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 125th
Anniversary of the Wantagh Fire Department and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 125 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Wantagh, New York and its surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, Originally chartered as the Wantagh Hook Ladder and Engine
Company No. 1 in 1899, the Wantagh Fire Department serves one of the
largest Fire Districts in Nassau County, serving Wantagh, parts of
Levittown, Seaford, East Meadow, Bellmore, as well as Jones Beach State
Park and Tobay Beach; and

WHEREAS, Having responded to more than 2700 calls for emergency
services within the last year, the Wantagh Fire Department readily
answers Fire and EMS alarms, auto accidents, and other types of
miscellaneous emergency calls; the Wantagh Fire Department has an
Incident Management Team, Hazardous Materials Team and a Dive/Water
Rescue Team, which works in conjunction with a 31-foot Fire/Rescue boat
that provides emergency services for the many waterways within their
Fire District; and

WHEREAS, Its members upholding the highest level of dedication, the
Wantagh Fire Department has approximately 250 resolute men and women who
volunteer their time and who respond to your needs 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, 365 days a year; in addition to emergency response, members
train at a minimum of once a week to maintain their skills and also
attend classes at the Nassau Fire Academy to keep proficient in the
services that they provide; and

WHEREAS, Truly devoted to the community, the Wantagh Fire Department
tirelessly plans Fire/Rescue and EMS leadership for the Bethpage Air
Show, the July 4th Fireworks at Jones Beach, and many other special
events that occur throughout they year; inspiring youth and the
community, volunteers also educate residents and students through public
outreach and Fire Prevention programs; 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 125th Anniversary of the Wantagh Fire
Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Wantagh Fire Department.