LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 140th Anniversary of Warwick
Fire Department's Excelsior Hose Company No. 1

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 140th Anni-
versary of Warwick Fire Department's Excelsior Hose Company No. 1 and to
honor its past and present firefighting members for 140 years of fire
protection to the citizens of Warwick, New York, and its surrounding
communities; and
WHEREAS, Warwick Fire Department's Excelsior Hose Company No. 1
recently celebrated its 140th Anniversary with a dinner held at the
Warwick Country Club; among those feted at the event for their service
to the organization were 50-year member Frank Fotino and 60-year member
Walter O'Dell, both of whom are past Chiefs of the Department; there was
also a large display of historic Excelsior memorabilia at Warwick
Station One, where the company is quartered; and
WHEREAS, On the evening of September 8, 1869, forty-nine townsmen met
in the Warwick Brass Band rooms (later Parking Plumbing) for the purpose
of forming a fire company; W.H. Knapp was elected Chairman of the meet-
ing and J. W. McElroy, Secretary; the following were duly elected as
officers: J.G. Knapp, Foreman; W.H. Knapp, 1st Assistant Foreman; Lewis
Fritz, 2nd Assistant Foreman; J.H. McElroy, Secretary; and J.H. Van
Duzer, Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, The original name chosen for the company was Warwick Valley
Engine Co.; a special meeting of the company was held September 3, 1869,
for the purpose of changing the name of the company to Excelsior Fire
Engine Co. No. 1; the name was again officially changed to the Excelsior
Hose Company No. 1 of Warwick on November 7, 1971; and
WHEREAS, Officers of the newly-organized company were also elected at
this November meeting; J.W. McElroy, was Secretary and the following
were duly elected as officers: J.G. Knapp, Foreman; J.H. Holly, 1st
Assistant Foremen; R. J. Rutan, 2nd Assistant Foreman; C.E. Tolhurst,
Secretary; and J.H. Van Duzer, Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, Excelsior's meetings were held in Firemen's Hall until Janu-
ary 1, 1887, when Chief Ira S. Smith and several other members appeared
before the Village Board of Trustees, requesting a more suitable
location to hold their meetings and house their equipment; the request
was put to a vote, and on March 6, 1886, a parcel of land on High Street
was purchased from Thomas Burt; and
WHEREAS, The company's first piece of equipment was a secondhand hand
pumper (called the Man Killer), which, with the completion of water
mains was replaced by hand-drawn hose carts steered by a couple of fire-
men; and
WHEREAS, The first piece of motorized equipment, a Robinson truck, was
acquired in 1916, allowing the company to afford protection to property
within a radius of ten miles from the village (with assistance from the
Raymond Hose Company No. 2 and the Goodwill Hook and Ladder Company No.
1); 18 years later, a new Maxim truck was purchased, this truck was
traded in on a new Mack truck in 1948; the company later purchased a
Maxim in 1965 and now owns a 1988 Mack truck; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Warwick Fire Department's Excelsior Hose Company
No. 1 is under the able leadership of Captain Michael Contaxis, Safety
Officer Christopher Gardner, 1st Lieutenant Neil Ryan and 2nd Lieutenant
Charles Kittner Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 140 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of Warwick Fire Department's Excels-
ior Hose 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
Warwick Fire Department's Excelsior Hose 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 140 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 Warwick Fire Department's Excelsior
Hose 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, Warwick Fire Department's Excelsior Hose Compa-
ny No. 1 reflects the history and development of firefighting over the
past 140 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 140th Anniversary of Warwick Fire Department's
Excelsior Hose Company No. 1; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Michael Contaxis, Chief, Warwick Fire Department's Excelsior
Hose Company No. 1.