2021-K964

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Medford Fire Department

Sponsored By

text

2021-K964


Assembly Resolution No. 964

BY: M. of A. DeStefano

CELEBRATING the 100th Anniversary of the founding
of the Medford Fire Department

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing and
celebrating important milestones in the history of those organizations
that substantially contribute to the health and well-being of their
communities; and

WHEREAS, One such organization, the Medford Fire Department, which
was founded in 1922, is celebrating the 100th Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Prior to the formation of a fire department in Medford,
groups of neighbors banded together to monitor the area from watchtowers
because woodland fires were a significant hazard in the brush and pitch
pine; some of these local residents met at the former Westphal's Garage,
now known as Tom and Son's, to plan the creation of a volunteer fire
department; out of this meeting, the South Medford Independent Hose
Company was born; and

WHEREAS, In 1923, the South Medford Independent Hose Company joined
the Suffolk County Volunteer Fireman's Association; that same year, they
also purchased a piece of fire equipment from the Bay Shore Fire
Department; and

WHEREAS, William Hahn, Sr. was elected as the first fire chief and
served from 1923 to 1925; the fire department was gifted land by Leroy
Smith at State Highway Route 112 and Jamaica Avenue to store their fire
equipment; and

WHEREAS, In April of 1926, another group of residents formed a
second volunteer fire department, known as the Medford Fire Department
Company No. 1; George Mistler served as the fire department's first fire
chief; Leroy Smith donated property at Oregon and Peconic Avenues to
build a fire house, which opened on June 7, 1940; and

WHEREAS, In April of 1949, the two separate fire companies merged to
form the Medford Volunteer Fire Department under the leadership of Fire
Chief William Hahn Jr.; since 2014, the Medford Fire Department has
answered 1,519 calls, and had their busiest month to date in August of
2020 with 112 emergency calls answered; and

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community
protection services in every locality in our state, and with the
membership of courageous and devoted volunteer firefighters, the Medford
Fire Department has bravely responded to all types of emergencies and
has earned the praise and respect of the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Residents have voted the Medford Fire Department as the
'Best Firehouse on Long Island' in the Best of Long Island contest for
three consecutive years, 2017, 2018, and 2019; 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
celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Medford Fire
Department; and be it further

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

actions

  • 20 / May / 2022
    • INTRODUCED
  • 23 / May / 2022
    • ADOPTED

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.