LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Niagara Falls Fire Department upon
the occasion of its 88th Annual Ball and Awards Ceremony to be held
March 20, 2010

WHEREAS, A great State is only as great as those institutions that
perform exemplary service on behalf of their community, whether through
unique achievement in its profession or other endeavors, or simply
through a lifetime of providing for our society; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
past and present members of the Niagara Falls Fire Department for their
commendable service, and to commemorate the Department's 88th Annual
Ball and Awards Ceremony to be held March 20, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The current officers and members of the Niagara Falls Fire
Department, which covers a population of 56,000 residents and approxi-
mately 12-14 million visitors a year, responded to a record number of
calls during 2009; the 5,934 incidents broke the record for the most
responses in the entire history of the Department; and
WHEREAS, The staff and members of the Niagara Falls Fire Department
were enhanced when, in late February of 2009, 14 firefighters completed
their training and assumed positions on the line; and
WHEREAS, The Niagara Falls Fire Department won national acclaim at
least twice last year, one time in February when all three major
networks, as well as CNN, covered the dramatic rescue of two individuals
from the Niagara River Gorge; and
WHEREAS, An influx of people to the villages of Niagara Falls and
Suspension Bridge merged to form the City of Niagara Falls; at that
time, each village was protected by three volunteer fire companies; with
the merger, those six companies and four others covering areas between
and around the villages were united to form the Niagara Falls Fire
Department; and
WHEREAS, While each company kept its own identity and area of cover-
age, their representatives would meet regularly and once a year they
would elect an overall fire chief and assistant fire chiefs; and
WHEREAS, On June 1, 1896, at the urging of local business leaders, the
city formed a paid fire department; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; over the years, the courageous
and devoted firefighters of the Niagara Falls Fire Department 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, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Niagara Falls Fire Department in public service and fire protection
is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, these
noble firefighters, without hesitation, went to the aid of their family
members, friends, and neighbors within their community; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting; 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 members of the fire departments of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly honor the Niagara Falls Fire Department upon the occasion of its
88th Annual Ball and Awards Ceremony to be held March 20, 2010; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chief William MacKay, Niagara Falls Fire Department.