LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the
Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company No. 1 to be celebrated on June 25, 2016

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 200th Anni-
versary of the Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company No. 1 and to honor its past
and present firefighting members for 200 years of fire protection to the
citizens of the Village of Ballston Spa and its surrounding communities;
and
WHEREAS, At a public meeting held January 27, 1815, the citizens of
Ballston Spa decided to build an engine house and purchase a fire
engine, and directed the trustees to organize a fire company immediate-
ly; and
WHEREAS, Engine House No. 1 was first located on the southwest corner
of Bath and Walnut Streets, on a lot owned by John Wait; in 1845, it was
moved across the street to the site of the present Village Police
Station; and
WHEREAS, The old house was a small, one story frame building, with a
cupola for the Bell which was replaced in 1867; in the year 1980, a new
station was finally built and moved into, presently located on the
corner of Washington and Bath Streets; and
WHEREAS, On June 10, 1843, the Fire Engine Company No. 1 became known
as the Eagle Fire Company; the equipment of the company at this time
consisted of a first class engine made by Button and Company of Water-
ford, two hose carts, ladder and pike poles; and
WHEREAS, The J. A. Harvey Hook & Ladder Company, No. 1 was organized
July 11, 1868, and carried the name until February 16, 1887, when it was
changed to Matt Lee Hook & Ladder Company, No. 1; the rooms of this
company were also in the Engine House No. 1 on Bath Street; and
WHEREAS, On September 25, 1933, at a joint meeting of the Matt Lee
Hook & Ladder Company and Eagle Fire Company, it was voted to consol-
idate the two companies, and the name of the combined company was
changed to the Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company No. 1; and
WHEREAS, Charles Duffy was elected Captain and ably served in this
capacity for the next 25 years; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 200 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company
No. 1 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 Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company No. 1 in public service and fire
protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year,
for 200 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 Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company No.
1 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-Matt Lee Fire Company No. 1 reflects
the history and development of firefighting over the past 200 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 200th Anniversary of the Eagle-Matt Lee Fire
Company No. 1 to be celebrated on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at the Sara-
toga County Fairgrounds, Ballston Spa, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company No. 1.