LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Eagle
Hose Company No. 4 of the Riverhead Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Eagle Hose Company No. 4 of the Riverhead Fire Depart-
ment, and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 100
years of fire protection to the citizens of Riverhead, New York and its
surrounding communities; 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 Eagle Hose Company No. 4 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
Eagle Hose Company No. 4 in public service and fire protection is one to
be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 100 years, when-
ever the alarm sounded, these noble volunteers left their homes and went
to the aid of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The Eagle Hose Company was established in 1915, when 12 men
from the Polish town area of Riverhead petitioned the Board of Fire
Commissioners for the right to form a hose company, to be known as Eagle
Hose Company No. 8; the original members were all of Polish descent, and
conducted their meetings in Polish; today, there are 11 current/former
chiefs from Eagle Hose Co. No. 4; and
WHEREAS, In 1917, the Eagle Hose Company No. 8 was moved to a new
location in order to store all of their equipment; seven years later, it
was relocated to the current location on Hamilton Avenue, and in 1928,
it was renamed Eagle Hose Company No. 4; later, the building was modern-
ized and was named Fire Station No. 1; and
WHEREAS, The Company's first piece of fire apparatus was a two-wheel
hose cart and several years later, a four-wheel hose cart was purchased;
in 1923, the company purchased their first truck, and in 1946, they
bought their first pumper; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Eagle Hose Company No. 4 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 Eagle Hose Company No. 4 reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 100 years; and
WHEREAS, Known as the "Flying Eagles", the men of the Eagle Hose
Company No. 4 were known for their abilities during firefighting tourna-
ments, participating in many races between 1923 and 1935, when the
Riverhead "Ironman" Racing Team was formed; 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 Eagle Hose Company No.
4 of the Riverhead Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Eagle Hose Company No. 4 of the Riverhead Fire Depart-
ment.