LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Pekin
Fire Company, Inc.

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 75th Anniver-
sary of the Pekin Fire Company, Inc. and to honor its past and present
firefighting members for 75 years of fire protection to the citizens of
Sanborn, 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 75 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Pekin 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, The Pekin Fire Company was organized through the efforts of
the late William Strassburg; he called together the men of the community
in the late summer of 1932 and the company was organized in October of
that year; it later received its charter as a member of the W.N.Y.
Volunteer Fireman's Association on April 13, 1933; there were 32 charter
members; and
WHEREAS, William Strassburg served as the first President and Fred
Wethey was the first Chief; and
WHEREAS, The company acquired the present Fire Company grounds and
barn in 1934; the company's first chemical truck was bought used from
Buffalo Fire Apparatus and was housed in a barn on the property; the
firemen erected the first addition to their hall, a two-bay garage in
April of 1938; this structure was to house two trucks, the chemical
truck and a used gas tank truck that now hauled water; Pekin was the
first Company in Niagara County to have a tank truck; and
WHEREAS, In August of 1944, the Pekin Fire Company bought their first
piece of new equipment, a 500 GPM Dodge Cayaslet Pumper; in 1945, anoth-
er addition was made to the hall, making room for even more trucks; in
1948, Pekin bought a 1,000 gallon Chevy Tank Truck with a pump on the
back end, replacing its old tank truck; and
WHEREAS, In 1951, the Pekin Fire Company added a kitchen onto its
hall; it also purchased a Ford 1000 gallon tank truck in 1953; in 1954,
the Ladies Auxiliary was formed; in 1955, the Company purchased a Ford
Emergency Car, today, it serves as a classic and attends local parades
and other community functions; and
WHEREAS, In September of 1965, a building committee was formed for a
new truck hall; in December of 1966, the members voted to build an addi-
tion to the east side of the existing truck room and make the old truck
room a new recreation hall; and
WHEREAS, During the 1960s the community continued to grow and there
was a need for more trucks; a Ford C850 Cab Over 750 GPM two stage Class
A Pumper and a Ford C1000, 1000 GPM Pump "Squirt" Aerial truck were
purchased as well as the Company's first 12 home monitors; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, plans were started to remodel the back room and add
another two truck bays with higher doors for trucks and equipment; the
Pekin Fire Company also purchased a 14' Foot Ford Step Van to carry all
extra equipment such as Scott air bottles, generator, coats, helmets and
boots; and
WHEREAS, In September of 1976, the Pekin Fire Company took delivery of
the Ford 1000 GPM Pumper Tank; Pekin was the first in the County to have
a new feature added to the new truck, a top mounted pump control panel
which enabled better vision for the pump operator at the scene of the
fire; and

WHEREAS, An Exempt organization was formed in the early 1980s, and in
the summer of 1984, the Pekin Fire Company celebrated its 50th Anniver-
sary with a parade and mini field day; and
WHEREAS, The plans for the new addition to the Pekin Fire Hall were
formulated early in 1987; construction began in May with the demolition
of the old building facilities; a groundbreaking ceremony was held
during the first weekend in June of 1987; the facilities had attained a
point of completion during October of that year; in May 1988, a ribbon
cutting and dedication ceremony was held; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in 1992, a service award program was started by the
town of Cambria for all active members; in July 1992, plans were started
for another new pumper and in December its first six pagers were
purchased; and
WHEREAS, In September 1993, the Pekin Fire Company approved a planned
playground donated by the Ladies Auxiliary which was installed in June
1994; also at the time the 1976 Ford Pumper was updated and repairs to
the "Squirt" were made; a new Stuphen 1500 GPM Class A Pumper was deliv-
ered in October of 1995 and was dedicated in January 1996; the 1944
Dodge Pumper was also refurbished, repainted and gold leaf lettering was
added in late 1995; and
WHEREAS, In September 1999, new specs for a SNOZZLE 1500 GPM truck
were approved; the truck was to be built by February 2000 and dedicated
by September 2000; the SNOZZLE replaced the Squirt; at this time Tri
Community Ambulance donated a used defibrillator for use in the Pekin
Fire Company's rescue truck; and
WHEREAS, In April of 2000, the Pekin Fire Company purchased a Power
Hawk Raptor package, also known as the Jaws of Life; by December 2002 a
Rapid Response Excursion vehicle was purchased by the Company as well as
a International chassis for the company rescue truck box; and
WHEREAS, In April 2007, a Stuphen 1250 Pumper Tanker with gun was
delivered to the Pekin Fire Company; also in April, the expansion of the
truck bays was approved; the work was finished in October 2008; in mid-
November the company took delivery of its new 70' aerial platform; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Pekin Fire Company in public service and fire protection is one to
be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 75 years, when-
ever the alarm sounded, these noble volunteers left their homes and went
to the aid of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Pekin 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 Pekin Fire Company reflects the history and
development of firefighting over the past 75 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 75th Anniversary of the Pekin Fire Company,
Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Pekin Fire Company, Inc.