LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Bridge-
port Volunteer Fire Company to be celebrated on June 12, 2010

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 75th Anniver-
sary of the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Company and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 75 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Bridgeport, New York, and its surrounding communities; to
celebrate this auspicious milestone, a party will be held on Saturday,
June 12, 2010, at Fire Station No. 1; and
WHEREAS, On February 23, 1935, the first meeting of the Bridgeport
Fire Department was held in Frank Pindles garage which is now Larry's
Body Shop; those in attendance included Ron Cook, Harry Sheldon, Ed
Pindle, Jack Myers, Reverend Baden Mudge, Richard Brown and Frank
Pindle; and
WHEREAS, On February 29, 1936, a new Federal 500 gallon per minute
Pumper along with a 2,000 foot hose was delivered; Bridgeport now had
its own Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Incorporated in 1949, the Department's first Chief was Harry
Sheldon and its first President was Ron Cook; and
WHEREAS, The Department's Ambulance Service was started in the early
1950s and at one time, it had two ambulances; in 1988, the ambulance was
replaced with a Medical Rescue Vehicle; today, the Medical Rescue Squad
is one of the best unpaid professional units in central New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1960, Station No. 2 was built in Lakeport, New York; with
Engine 4 stationed there and a crew of highly trained individuals, the
district had better coverage and the response time was faster; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Company has three
Class-A Type Pumpers with a 1,250 gallon per minute pumping capacity; a
Medical Rescue; two Squads; and three Chief cars; in addition, Station
No. 2 has two 1949 Mack Pumpers that are fully restored and used only
for parades; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 75 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Bridgeport 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 Bridgeport 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 75 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 Bridgeport 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 Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Company reflects
the history and development of firefighting over the past 75 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 75th Anniversary of the Bridgeport Volunteer
Fire Company to be celebrated on June 12, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to James Ostrowski, Chief, Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Company,
Bridgeport, New York.