LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the David
B. Roche Volunteer Fire Company to be celebrated on May 7, 2010

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 50th Anniver-
sary of the David B. Roche Volunteer Fire Company and to honor its past
and present firefighting members for 50 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Thiells, New York, and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, Before April of 1957, Thiells, New York had no fire company
to speak of; therefore, the citizens of Thiells met several times to
discuss the possibility of organizing their own fire company; and
WHEREAS, On April 15, 1957, the first informal meeting was held and
attended by Arthur Dresdner, A. Margiotta, David B. Roche, W. Brooks,
and an alternate for S. Huvane; at this meeting it was decided to form a
Fire Company; and
WHEREAS, The second meeting was held on June 11, 1957, and it was
determined to name the Company the David B. Roche Volunteer Fire Compa-
ny, in honor of Dave who had recently passed away; Arthur Dresdner was
elected President of the Company and the next several years were spent
determining boundaries for the district and approximate costs for land,
buildings and equipment; and
WHEREAS, On July 14, 1959, with President Kendzierski presiding, it
was noted that the Town Board had been presented with a petition
requesting the creation of a Fire District in the area to be known as
The Thiells-Roseville Fire District; and
WHEREAS, On January 12, 1960, the Fire District was made official and
turned over to Fire Commissioners, Arthur Dresdner, E. Stark, John
Grant, E. Thiell and G. Rusciano; and
WHEREAS, The first elections were held on May 10, 1960, and the first
line officers for the Company were as follows: Chief Ray Lund, Assistant
Chief Ken Allison, Captain Joe Van Syckle, First Lieutenant Joe Hatala,
Second Lieutenant Vincent Bosco, and Chief Chauffeur John Placek; and
WHEREAS, The Fire District purchased its first property on Route 202
on August 15, 1960; in January of 1961, the Gurran Oil Company donated a
4,000 gallon tanker to the Fire Company; next a small pumper was
purchased as well as a second piece of property; a 500 gallon pumper and
a 700 gallon pumper were also purchased; then in April 1962, the
construction of two fire houses was started and later completed in the
latter part of August; and
WHEREAS, On September 1, 1962, the David B. Roche Volunteer Fire
Company officially took over the Fire District with the following line
officers in charge: Chief Ray Lund, Assistant Chief Ken Allison, Captain
Joe Hatala, First Lieutenant Howard Farewell, Second Lieutenant Vincent
Bosco, and Chief Chauffeur John Placek; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 50 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the David B. Roche Volunteer Fire
Company 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 David B. Roche Volunteer Fire Company in public service and fire
protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year,
for 50 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 David B. Roche Volunteer Fire
Company 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 David B. Roche Volunteer Fire Company
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 50
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 50th Anniversary of the David B. Roche Volunteer
Fire Company to be celebrated on May 7, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the David B. Roche Volunteer Fire Company.