LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the New
York City Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 150th Anni-
versary of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and to honor its
past and present work for 150 years of emergency protection to the citi-
zens of New York City; 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, paramedics and emergency medical
technicians of the FDNY have valiantly responded to all types of fire
and medical emergencies and have won the praise and respect of the
community which they serve; and
WHEREAS, To celebrate this auspicious milestone, the FDNY will be
hosting a series of community events throughout the year paying tribute
to this fine organization's tradition of bravery and service to others
and highlighting its commitment to community engagement; and
WHEREAS, Established as a paid professional organization in 1865 by a
state act, FDNY began after New York City's volunteer fire departments
were abolished; two new firefighting agencies, the Metropolitan Fire
District and the Metropolitan Fire Department, were created, and later
combined during the consolidation of the Greater City of New York in
1898; and
WHEREAS, On March 25, 1911, the historic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
Fire killed 146 people, most of whom were young female immigrant work-
ers; in response, new laws were enacted, and the FDNY established its
first Fire College to train new firefighters later that year; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the 20th Century, FDNY continued to expand and
grow its operations, adding such sophisticated fire equipment as tower
ladders, the Super Pumper System, and the Maxi-Water Unit; other techni-
cal advances added include the introduction of high pressure water
systems, the creation of a Marine fleet, and the utilization of improved
radio communications; and
WHEREAS, FDNY experienced both its bravest and saddest moment during
the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; FDNY members displayed
tremendous heroism and resilience assisting their fellow citizens during
one of the most horrific attacks in our country's history; 343 FDNY
members lost their lives that day while courageously taking part in
rescue operations; and
WHEREAS, Today, FDNY is the largest municipal fire department in the
United States and the second largest in the world; it employs approxi-
mately 10,200 uniformed firefighters and over 3,600 uniformed EMTs and
paramedics who bravely serve more than eight million New York City resi-
dents; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the New York City 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 men and women responded
to the aid of their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters, paramedics and EMTs of FDNY 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, FDNY 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 fire departments of this great Empire State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the New York City Fire
Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Daniel A. Nigro, Commissioner, New York City Fire Department.