LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the
Orangetown Fire Company No. 1, South Nyack, New York, to be celebrated
on October 3, 2009

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 175th Anni-
versary of Orangetown Fire Company No. 1, and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 175 years of fire protection to the
citizens of South Nyack, New York, and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, The Orangetown Fire Company No. 1, formerly known as the York
House, was organized on October 4, 1834, by 16 hardy men; today, its
first hand-pulled truck, built in 1749, can be found in the firehouse's
museum; two years earlier, a traveling peddler brought it to the South
Nyack area from Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Consisting of all volunteers since its inception, the Orange-
town Fire Company No. 1 is the oldest fire company in Rockland County,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 175 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Orangetown Fire Company No. 1
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 Orangetown Fire Company No. 1 in public service and fire protection
is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 175
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 Orangetown Fire Company No. 1
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 Orangetown Fire Company No. 1 reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 175 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 175th Anniversary of the Orangetown Fire Company
No. 1 to be celebrated on Saturday, October 3, 2009, with a parade to be
held in Nyack, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Steve Dizzine, President, Orangetown Fire Company No. 1, 90
Depot Place, South Nyack, New York 10960.