LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the High-
land Engine and Hose Company No. 3 to be celebrated on April 24, 2010

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 125th Anni-
versary of the Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3 and to honor its
past and present firefighting members for 125 years of fire protection
to the citizens of Florida, New York, and its surrounding communities;
and
WHEREAS, The members of the Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3
will celebrate this most auspicious occasion at their Annual Dinner to
be held at the Best Western Inn at Hunts Landing on Saturday, April 24,
2010; and
WHEREAS, During the year of 1885, the citizens of Florida, New York,
met at Seward's Hall to discuss the need of a fire company; after
listening to the concerned citizens a group of men decided to organize a
Fire company; and
WHEREAS, On December 5, 1885, sixteen devoted men organized the Flori-
da Fire Company No. 2; and
WHEREAS, The first fire equipment included a dozen pails painted red
with the No. 2 stenciled on each, some ice pike poles used to pull or
push over burning walls, a couple of axes, crowbars and some lanterns;
and
WHEREAS, It was soon found that more equipment was needed; the members
visited some cities and large towns for ideas; upon their return, they
built a two-wheeled cart with a hose reel in the center, on which a few
lengths of hose were carried together with two axes, a crowbar, a small
pike pole and some lanterns; and
WHEREAS, However, the men still found it difficult to fight fires
without a pump, and with their own money they purchased a pumping cart
that was about the size of a railroad handcar; and
WHEREAS, In the year 1887, the company purchased a twenty-man power
fire pump from the Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3 of the City of
Newburgh; one condition of the sale was that the Florida Fire Company
take the name of Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3; and
WHEREAS, An application was drawn and sent to Albany, incorporating
the company as the Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3 of the Hamlet
of Florida, New York; a Charter was received from the State and hangs on
the wall of the meeting room today; and
WHEREAS, In 1892, membership increased and two new hose carts were
purchased together with a number of soda and acid fire extinguishers;
and
WHEREAS, In April 1894, permission was received from the First Pres-
byterian Church for the fire company to use the church bell as a fire
alarm; then in August 1895, a railroad tire was hung on a wooden frame
in front of the fire house to be used as a fire alarm when struck by a
hammer; in 1898, a bell was purchased and placed in a tower erected on
the roof of the firehouse; it was used to call men to meetings and was
also rung as a fire alarm; and
WHEREAS, In 1916, the citizens of Florida, New York, realized some-
thing more was needed to combat fires in the outlying sections of town;
with the wholehearted support of the people, on February 13, 1917, the
Company began the process to purchase a combined pumper and chemical
motor truck; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, the Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3
has continued to adapt and change with the times all the while remaining
committed to protecting and serving the citizens of Florida, New York;
and

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 125 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Highland Engine and Hose
Company No. 3 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 Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3 in public service and fire
protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year,
for 125 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 Highland Engine and Hose Compa-
ny No. 3 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 Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 125
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 125th Anniversary of the Highland Engine and
Hose Company No. 3 to be celebrated on April 24, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Highland Engine and Hose Company No. 3.