LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the
Lindenhurst Fire Department to be celebrated on May 1, 2010

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 125th Anni-
versary of the Lindenhurst Fire Department and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 125 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Lindenhurst, New York, and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Lindenhurst Fire Department will celebrate
this most auspicious occasion at its Annual Installation Dinner Dance to
be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the Sheraton Long Island, Smithtown,
New York; and
WHEREAS, On May 20, 1885, members of the Breslau Engine Company No. 1,
which had been in existence nearly eighty years, the three-year-old
Union Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, and the Liberty Hose Company No. 1,
which would soon celebrate its first anniversary, met at the Palmer
Avenue (now West John Street) firehouse to organize a local fire unit to
be known as the Breslau Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, At this time, there were 700 inhabitants in the Village then
known as the "City of Breslau"; although the name of the Village was
changed in 1891, the fire department didn't adopt the name Lindenhurst
Fire Department until 1909; and
WHEREAS, The first Chief of the Fire Department was Herman Funk; the
Liberty Hose Company erected its own firehouse on South Wellwood Avenue
in 1893, and the Lindenhurst Fire Department Headquarters was built in
1923; and
WHEREAS, The three companies provided fire protection until November
of 1926 when three more companies were admitted to the department; Chem-
ical & Rescue Company No. 1, making Lindenhurst the first department in
New York State to have a Rescue Company; Chemical and Salvage Company
No. 2 to become known as the "Brush Rabbits"; and Hook, Ladder and
Engine Company No. 2, to be nicknamed the "Bay Rats"; the latter two
companies erected their own buildings in the north and south sections of
the village; a fire-substation on South Delaware Avenue at East Hoffman
Avenue, was dedicated in 1979; and
WHEREAS, Today, there are approximately 30,000 residents under the
Department's protection; in the 12 month period ending January 1, 2009,
a total of 2,873 emergency calls were responded to by the volunteer
department; the members also spend many hours at training sessions,
meetings and other events vital to the activities of the fire depart-
ment; and
WHEREAS, In addition to its many duties as volunteer firefighters, the
Lindenhurst Fire Department takes an active interest in local and civic
functions and is always interested in promoting the welfare of the
community and its residents under the direction of Chief Steven W.
Smaldon; 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 Lindenhurst 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 Lindenhurst Fire Department 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 Lindenhurst 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 Lindenhurst Fire Department 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 Lindenhurst Fire
Department to be celebrated on May 1, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Lindenhurst Fire Department.