Senate Resolution No. 256

BY: Senator MURRAY

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Mastic
Fire Department to be celebrated on April 12, 2025

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th
Anniversary of the Mastic Fire Department, and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Mastic, New York, and its surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, The Mastic Fire Department started as the Mastic Chemical
Company and was formed by 52 men originally from Mastic and Moriches,
New York; Joseph Titmus was elected Chairman and numerous meetings were
held before it was decided to establish separate units in each of the
hamlets; and

WHEREAS, The charter for the Mastic Chemical Company No. 1 was
obtained April 29, 1925, and its first officers included Chief
Thomas-Eaton Jones, Foreman Jud Barry, Assistant Foreman B.G. Hurley,
Secretary Thomas Doyle, Assistant Secretary Charles Trywusch, Treasurer
A.H. Tebbins, Directors Theodore Whitehead, B.G. Hurley and Fred
Squires, and Finance John Kitson; and

WHEREAS, In 1925, the Brooklyn Citizen Real Estate Company donated
two lots in Section One, Mastic Park; this parcel was the site of the
first firehouse which was built by members; materials were purchased and
financed by Chapmans Lumber Yard in East Moriches; in the latter part of
1926, construction for a meeting hall was started to add to the
firehouse and completed in 1930; additional trucks were added as well;
and

WHEREAS, In 1927, the Mastic Fire District was formed, and all
properties of the Mastic Chemical Company were turned over to the Fire
District; on May 31, 1935, the Mastic Fire Department was destroyed by a
fire; the cause was a faulty stove; the trucks were saved but the
records and trophies were destroyed; on September 11, 1935, Thomas
Eaton-Jones was awarded a contract to rebuild the firehouse; and

WHEREAS, As the years went on, trucks were added to keep the fleet
updated, additions to the building were completed, a new firehouse
built, the field opposite the firehouse was purchased, and the Drill
Team known as the "Whistlers" was formed; and

WHEREAS, The first Scuba Team was formed in 1979, a substation on
the North Service Road of Sunrise Highway was dedicated, a Junior Fire
Department was formed in 1982, two drive through bays plus a new radio
and generator room were added to Headquarters in 1988, the first Fire
Police Van was placed in service in 1992, the first Scuba Team truck was
placed in service in 1996, and the Mastic Memorial Monument on Montauk
Highway was rebuilt after being destroyed by motorists in 1999; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, these brave members responded to 9/11 Ground
Zero with an Aerial Tower and Heavy Rescue Unit; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Mastic Fire Department continues to stay up to
date with their training and equipment to assist the community as best
as possible when they are needed; this esteemed fire department, like
others on Long Island, consists of volunteers who are looking to help
their community; 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 Mastic 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 Mastic 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, The brave firefighters of the Mastic 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 Mastic 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 Mastic Fire Department
to be celebrated on April 12, 2025; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the aforementioned members of the Mastic Fire Department.