LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Wynantskill Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Wynantskill Fire Department and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for a century of fire protection to the
citizens of Wynantskill, 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 the Wynantskill Fire Department
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 March of 1915, the Wynantskill Fire Department was recog-
nized by the North Greenbush Town Board as officially incorporated;
later that year, the department had its first real test when it received
a call to extinguish a brush fire in Evergreen Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, In the beginning, the Wynantskill Fire Department consisted
of approximately 40 members and one piece of equipment, a horse drawn
Howe Hand Pumper; its first firehouse was located at the Odd Fellows
Hall at the corner of Main Avenue and Church Street; and
WHEREAS, The first fire alarm system was primitive; Frank Houser, who
ran a general store on Main Avenue opposite Route 150, had one of the
few phones in town at the time; he would receive news of a fire, run
down to the Odd Fellows Hall, and ring a bell which would alert the
firefighters; and
WHEREAS, In 1927-1928, the Wynantskill Fire Department purchased its
first modem piece of equipment, a grey truck, known as "the Grey Ghost"
which continues to appear each year at the Memorial Day Parade; and
WHEREAS, In 1938, the Wynantskill Fire Department outgrew its original
facilities; it was at this time the department purchased and razed the
Odd Fellows Hall, and constructed a new brick building which served as
its firehouse until 1980, before the current building was constructed on
Church Street; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the Wynantskill Fire Department has
fought numerous major fires including the 1942 McLoughlin Tavern fire,
the 1949 Wynantskill School blaze, and the 1958 fire at the original
American Legion Hall; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Wynantskill Fire Department 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, The brave firefighters of the Wynantskill Fire Department 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 Wynantskill Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past century; 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 Wynantskill Fire
Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Wynantskill Fire Department.