LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 130th Anniversary of Highland
Engine and Hose Company No. 3

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 130th Anni-
versary of Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3, and to honor its past
and present firefighting members for 130 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Florida, 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 130 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of Highland Engine and Hose Company
No. 3 have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and have
won the praise and respect of the community which they serve; and
WHEREAS, In 1885, 16 citizens of Florida, New York, met at Seward's
Hall to organize the Florida Fire Company No. 2; and
WHEREAS, During its humble beginning, the Florida Fire Company No. 2
owned 12 pails painted red with a No. 2 stenciled on each one, some ice
pike poles, a couple of axes, crowbars, and lanterns; they built a two-
wheeled cart, with a hose reel in the center used to carry the tools;
and
WHEREAS, In 1887, the Florida Fire Company No. 2 purchased a 20-man
power fire pump, which could be drawn by either a team of horses or by
hand; a condition of the sale was the fire company be renamed Highland
Engine and Hose Company No. 3, which it is still called today; and
WHEREAS, In April of 1917, Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3
purchased a 4 cylinder model 40 pumper with a 350 gallon per minute
pump; the truck made history at the great St. Elmo Hotel fire in Goshen,
New York, on February 1, 1920, pumping water continuously from 2:10 a.m.
until 9 a.m. in minus 24 degree weather; and
WHEREAS, The Fire Police of Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3
were officially chartered in July of 1932; eight years later, a volun-
teer ambulance squad was formed, using a second-hand Chrysler ambulance;
and
WHEREAS, On August 1, 1977, Gail Kujawski became the first woman to be
accepted on the membership roll of Highland Engine and Hose Company
No. 3; and
WHEREAS, During the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks, the Rescue Squad was deployed to the devastating scene for a
24-hour period; and
WHEREAS, Today, Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3 owns numerous
emergency vehicles, including three engines, one tanker, one brush
truck, one rescue truck, one fire police vehicle, two ambulances, and
one 4x4 mule with trailer; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of Highland Engine and Hose Company
No. 3 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, Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3 reflects
the history and development of firefighting over the past 130 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 130th Anniversary of Highland Engine and Hose
Company No. 3; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3.