LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the
Middletown Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 150th Anni-
versary of the Middletown Fire Department and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 150 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Middletown, New York, and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, Since 1859, the Middletown Fire Department has efficiently
and effectively carried out its charge to prevent and extinguish fires
and protect community property; the Department now safeguards a popu-
lation of 25,400 people living within Middletown's five-mile square
area; and
WHEREAS, The Eagle Engine Co., the Phoenix Engine Co., and the Excels-
ior Hook & Ladder Co. were the charter members of the Village of
Middletown's first Fire Department in August 1859, and they relied on
bucket brigades and hand pumpers; and
WHEREAS, Within ten years, however, the growing community had a reser-
voir, water pipes, fire hydrants and hose lines, and four more companies
were organized: the Monhagen Hose Co. in 1869, the McQuoid Engine &
Ladder Co. in 1873, the Ontario Hose Co. in 1889, and the Waalkill
Engine Co. in 1890; the city's first paid firefighter was hired in 1893,
and the Fire Police were chartered in 1896; and
WHEREAS, The Middletown Fire Department now answers well over 1,100
calls a year; these include structure and brush fires, motor vehicle
accidents, emergency medical service and rescue calls, and a variety of
public service requests such as flooded cellars and, very occasionally,
the legendary cat in a tree; and
WHEREAS, The average Middletown Fire Department response time for
Middletown calls is less than four minutes, markedly better than the
national average; the Department also gives and receives additional
emergency help and support through mutual aid arrangements with neigh-
boring communities; and
WHEREAS, A volunteer Fire Chief and three Assistant Chiefs lead the
Middletown Fire Department; elected by the firefighters, each chief
traditionally serves four three-year terms, starting at 3rd Assistant
Chief and rising to 2nd Assistant, 1st Assistant and finally Fire Chief;
a Secretary and a Treasurer round out the elected Department leadership;
and
WHEREAS, Over 6,000 volunteers have served throughout the Department's
distinguished history; about one thousand men and women volunteers now
fill the rosters of the City's seven fire companies; companies have
active members who are required to respond to all alarms, drills, meet-
ings and parades, and exempt members who have served at least five years
of active duty and are thus free from mandatory attendance requirements
but who generally participate in company and Department activities; and
WHEREAS, In the early years, paid firemen worked around the clock and
virtually lived in the fire stations; over the years, state laws reduced
the work week and in 1965, Middletown adopted the 24-hour shift, under
which each of four groups of eight firefighters are on duty 24 hours and
then off for 72 hours; and
WHEREAS, Middletown's very first firefighting apparatus was a bath-
tub-sized wooden wagon purchased in 1821, and, when filled by a bucket
brigade and pumped by four men, it threw a stream of water about 50
feet; today the Middletown Fire Department relies on five engines, each
designed to pump water from on-board tanks or city hydrants through
various diameter hoses to the fire, and two trucks which carry aerial
and ground ladders, ventilation equipment and lights; and

WHEREAS, Four Middletown Fire Department companies -- the Monhagens,
Excelsiors, Eagles and McQuoids -- are housed in Central Firehouse, a
Georgian-style brick structure built in 1928, in downtown Middletown;
the Ontarios and Phoenix share quarters in a North End firehouse built
in 1890, and enlarged in 1984; the Waalkills occupy a West End firehouse
built in 1892; the Department also maintains a training site on Reser-
voir Road; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 150 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Middletown 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, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Middletown Fire Department in public service and fire protection is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 150
years, whenever the alarm sounded, these noble firefighters left their
homes and went to the aid of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Middletown 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 Middletown Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 150 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 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 150th Anniversary of the Middletown Fire Depart-
ment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Middletown Fire Department.