LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Rose Fire
Company, Inc. on May 15, 2015

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Rose Fire Company, Inc., and to honor its past and pres-
ent firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the citi-
zens of Rose, New York and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of Rose Fire Company, Inc. to be celebrated
at its Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Abigails
Restaurant, Seneca Falls, New York; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the members of the Rose Fire Company and the
entire community of Rose, will come together to celebrate this auspi-
cious occasion with a party to be held from June 11-14, 2015; numerous
events are scheduled for the entire family, including a concert, a memo-
rial service, an ice cream social, an Erie Canal Cloggers performance,
food, craft show, kids games, both a kiddies and firemen's parade,
entertainment by Savannah Cellar Savers, a fireworks display, a car
show, chicken barbecue, flea market, and a lawn mower raffle; 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 Rose Fire Company, have vali-
antly responded to all types of fire emergencies and have won the praise
and respect of the community which they serve; and
WHEREAS, On December 10, 1913, a petition requesting the formation of
a fire district at Rose, New York, in the Town of Rose, was presented to
the Wayne County Board of Supervisors; and
WHEREAS, On August 23, 1915, a meeting was held to enlist volunteers;
B.H. Jeffers was selected as Temporary Chairman and Russell Weeks was
chosen to serve as Temporary President; in addition, the fire company
was named the Rose Chemical Company No. 1; and
WHEREAS, Five days later, on August 28, 1915, the first official meet-
ing of the Rose Chemical Company No. 1 was held; approximately a month
later, the second meeting was held at the Town Hall and the Constitution
and by-laws were accepted, as well as a motion was carried that all
associate members would become active members; and
WHEREAS, Officer elections were held and K.L. Osborn was unanimously
elected President of the Rose Chemical Company No. 1, H. Ross Ellinwood
was selected as Vice President, Russell Weeks became the Financial
Secretary and Albert Fox was chosen as Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, During its humble beginning, the Rose Chemical Company No. 1
consisted of 36 members and two hand drawn chemical carts; and
WHEREAS, The original members of the Rose Chemical Company No. 1 were
Earl Gilfilian, Wm. Austin, L.C. Terbush, Russell Weeks, B.H. Jeffers,
Chas. Jones, Chas. Wilson, Albert Fox, Ray A. Osgood, John Harper, K.L.
Osborn, Henry Knapp, H.R. Ellinwood, Ben Brewster, Fred Case, H.L.
Cahoon, John Hart, Dell Wilkinson, Nelson Brewster, Chas. Boyce, Arthur
Turner, Edwin Weeks, Sylvester Van Antwerp, Dell Van Antwerp, Fred
O'Brien, Harold Shufelt, Frank Henry, Roe Soule, H.P. Osgood, L.G.
Harper, Ed Weeks, R.F. King, F. Bovee, W.A. Marsh, E. Skiley and H.
Frank; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1940's, the Rose Chemical Company No. 1 became
known as the Rose Fire Department and was officially incorporated on
November 21, 1988; and

WHEREAS, In 1961, the Rose Fire Department began providing Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) to the residents of Rose, and surrounding commu-
nities; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Rose Fire Company 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, Today, under the luminous leadership of President Duane E.
Shipley, Vice President Scott Converse, Secretary Alan Barney, and Trea-
surer Donald MacDougall, the brave firefighters of the Rose Fire Company
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 Rose Fire Company 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 Rose Fire Company,
Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Duane E. Shipley, President, Rose Fire Company, Inc.