Assembly Resolution No. 589

BY: M. of A. Walsh

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Galway
Volunteer Fire Company to be celebrated on Saturday,
August 26, 2023

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th
Anniversary of the Galway Volunteer Fire Company and to honor its past
and present members for 100 years of fire protection and emergency
response to most of the Town of Galway, New York; and

WHEREAS, Fire companies 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 Galway Volunteer Fire Company
have valiantly responded to all types of emergencies and have won the
praise and respect of the community which they serve; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters serve without pay, devote hundreds
of hours of time away from family, and in many cases; spend their own
money on firefighting gear and bear the responsibility for recruitment
and retention to maintain organizational stability; and

WHEREAS, Under the current leadership of Company President Bill
Schwab, and Chief Russell DeRidder, the Galway Volunteer Fire Company
has held up the high standards of ensuring public safety which has been
a staple of this company since its inception; and

WHEREAS, Always at the ready, the Galway Volunteer Fire Company
handles an average of 285-300 calls annually, responding when called
upon in a professional and timely manner; and

WHEREAS, The record of the Galway 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, The brave firefighters of Galway 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, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated
by individual firefighters and emergency personnel, the Galway Volunteer
Fire Company reflects on their rich history and development of
firefighting over the past 100 years at a celebration on Saturday,
August 26, 2023; 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, especially in a volunteer capacity; 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 companies 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 Galway Volunteer Fire
Company; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to ranking members of the Galway Volunteer Fire Company.