Assembly Resolution No. 655

BY: M. of A. Friend

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Village
of Horseheads Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
150th Anniversary of the Village of Horseheads Fire Department and to
honor its past and present firefighting members for 150 years of fire
protection to the citizens of the Village of Horseheads and its
surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated with a myriad
of events throughout 2023, including the rededication of the Fire Alarm
Bell on May 27, 2023, and a Festival from July 7-8, 2023, which includes
a firefighter's water ball competition, a parade, live entertainment,
food vendors, and culminating with a fireworks display on Saturday
night; and

WHEREAS, After a fire destroyed most of the buildings in the
business district in 1872, a group of citizens from the Village who were
concerned there was no fire district gathered to form the Horseheads
Fire Department in July of 1873; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, the Department consisted of Steamer
Company No. 1 from July 25, 1873 through January 2, 1893; Pioneer Hose
Company No. 1, August 22, 1873 through March 11, 1928; Pioneer Hose &
Chemical Company No. 1, 1896; Independent Hose Company No. 2, June 18,
1876 through September 11, 1878; Acme Hose Company No. 2, November 3,
1877 through February 19, 1931; Acme Steamer & Hose Company No. 2, 1896;
Transit Hose Company No. 3, August 25, 1894 through January 14, 1904;
Active Hose Company, January 1, 1932 through December 31, 1969; and
Horseheads Fire Company, 1970 through present; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, more than 1,136 men and women have
served the citizens of the Village of Horseheads as well as neighboring
towns and villages in both New York and Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community
protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 150
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Village of
Horseheads 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, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Village of Horseheads Fire Department in public service and fire
protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year,
for 150 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 the Village of Horseheads 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 Village of Horseheads Fire Department
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 150
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 150th Anniversary of the Village of Horseheads
Fire Department; and be it further

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