Senate Resolution No. 1759

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

COMMEMORATING the 70th Anniversary of the North
Hoosick Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 70th
Anniversary of the North Hoosick Fire Department and to honor its past
and present firefighting members for 70 years of fire protection to the
citizens of North Hoosick, Walloomsac, and East Hoosick; and

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community
protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 70
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the North Hoosick 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, This auspicious milestone will be celebrated with two
nights of country music; on Thursday, May 11, 2017, the Spirit of Johnny
Cash Band will perform, and on Friday, May 12, 2017, the Department will
welcome one of the areas hottest country bands Whiskey Highway; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the North Hoosick Fire Department will host
their famous chicken barbecue; and

WHEREAS, The first meeting of the North Hoosick Fire Department took
place at the North Hoosick school house on May 1, 1947; Harry N. Weir
was nominated as the Chairman, and a committee was named to head the
fire protection district; and

WHEREAS, The first Board of Directors nominated and elected were: E.
Merritt Ashworth, Harry Shaw, Forrest White, Donald George, Harry N.
Weir, Gordon Hoag, Arthur Baldwin, Walter Robson, and Ira Fisk;
approximately 40 men served as the first volunteer firefighters; and

WHEREAS, In October of 1947, the Fire Department ordered its first
fire truck, and the following officers were elected: Fire Chief, Clayton
Moore; Assistant Chief, John Gaefka; Foreman, Hudson Bassett; and
Assistant Foreman, Donald George; and

WHEREAS, At a meeting of the Board of Directors on April 5, 1948,
Donald George was elected the first President of the Fire Department,
Forrest White as Vice President, Ira Fisk as Secretary, and Harry N.
Weir as Treasurer; and

WHEREAS, The new truck arrived on June 4, 1948, and drills would be
held on Thursday nights of each week to get familiar with the new truck;
during that year, the North Hoosick Fire Department responded to seven
alarms; and

WHEREAS, On March 14, 1949, the first Scott Air Packs were bought,
and on April 11, 1956, a Ladies Auxiliary was formed; the members
included: Lois Allen, Eleanor Baldwin, Ardythe Bender, Caroline Bornt,
Alice Casey, Helen Dean, Kathy Gritkas, Betty Harrington, Jean Marsh,
Jet Martelle, Janet McLucas, Ruth Slade, Barbara Sprague, Margaret
Wheeler, and Betty Wilson; and


WHEREAS, In 1965, a new fire station was built on Rt. 22, and was
capable of housing three pieces of apparatus, a rest room, a small
kitchen, and a hall for the firemen and auxiliary to hold their
meetings; in 1996, an addition was added; and

WHEREAS, In June of 1973, the Department purchased a new
International engine tanker; over the years, the Department hosted
numerous fundraisers, the most popular being the sale of their famous
clam chowder; and

WHEREAS, It was in 1978 that all fire departments in Rensselaer
County began to automatically respond to automobile accidents in their
fire districts; on April 1, 1979, the North Hoosick Fire Department
joined the TY line which made all fire calls go directly to the
Rensselaer County Sheriff's Department dispatcher; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, the Fire Department began a Muster Team, which
consisted of both men and women; the Yellow Jackets team traveled to
many locations to participate in competition; and

WHEREAS, Two years later, the Department hosted a carnival to help
raise funds; due to the success of the event, it was also held in 1982
and 1983; and

WHEREAS, Due to its addition in 1997, the Department began to raise
funds by holding banquets, weddings, anniversary parties, and bowling
banquets; in November of 1998, it held dances for children; and

WHEREAS, The North Hoosick Fire Department diligently trains every
day to help the members of their community as well as other communities
on a mutual aid basis; the Department works on search and rescue
operations, pump operations, interior structural firefighting, and
vehicle extrication; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its storied history, the Fire Department has
owned and operated 14 vehicles, and on average, responds to nearly 100
calls per year; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the North Hoosick Fire Department in public service and fire protection
is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 70
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 North Hoosick 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 North Hoosick Fire Department reflects
the history and development of firefighting over the past 70 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 70th Anniversary of the North Hoosick Fire
Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the North Hoosick Fire Department.