LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Latham
Fire Department to be celebrated on August 14, 2010

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Latham Fire Department and to honor its past and present
firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the citizens of
Latham, New York and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, To celebrate this auspicious occasion, 130 fire department
volunteers are hosting a Centennial Parade to be held on Saturday,
August 14, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Latham Fire Department is the oldest and first fire depart-
ment in the town of Colonie; and
WHEREAS, The President of the Latham Fire Department, John Riccitelli,
has been a member of the fire department since 1975; he, along with the
other firefighters, teach children the Stop, Drop and Roll preventative
measure in case they ever get caught in a blaze; they also give presen-
tations to schools, organizations and businesses; and educate people
about escape plans and the new law enacted for carbon monoxide detec-
tors; and
WHEREAS, One hundred years ago, when horse-drawn wagons ran with
steamers, residents met at Union Chapel, later known as Calvary Hall,
and organized the Latham Fire Company; and
WHEREAS, The company was named S.W. Pitts Hose Co. of Latham, New
York, in honor of the leading citizen who donated money to give the fire
department its start; with 45 charter members, the first president was
James Gaffers, who remained in office as president for almost 20 years;
and
WHEREAS, In March 1911, Vice President William Woodward purchased the
fire department's first building, the original Latham School for seven
dollars; the small building, not much larger than a two-car garage, was
moved to a small lot on Purtell Avenue; and
WHEREAS, The first meeting held in the Hose Company's own quarters was
in July 1911; and the first annual Clam Steam was held in August of that
same year in a grove to the rear of the Fire House; and
WHEREAS, Of the many parties and fundraisers the Latham Fire Depart-
ment had, the first social gathering netted approximately $200, then a
considerable amount; and
WHEREAS, The following year in February 1912, the first horse-drawn
apparatus was purchased for five dollars; in the absence of a horse in
those days it was hand-drawn; and
WHEREAS, The apparatus was a simple device with the use of a hand
pumper; two or three men stood on each side of the machine; one set
worked the hand pump while the other group pointed the water flowing out
of the hose onto the flames; and
WHEREAS, The first fire alarm had been a steel tire from a locomotive
that was suspended on a chain; the fire alarm had been propped up on a
heavy wooden frame in front of the fire house; when someone wanted to
sound the alarm, they banged it with a sledge hammer, which was heard
for miles around; and
WHEREAS, In 1924, the Latham Fire Department purchased a Larabee fire
truck, which had a pumper equipped with a 150-gallon tank and could pump
300 gallons per minute; that same year, the company became incorporated
as a Fire Protection District, which allowed them to secure a percentage
of town tax money to help pay for their operations; and
WHEREAS, With a growing population in the area and a greater demand to
provide fire protection with larger quarters to house modern-day equip-

ment, the members of the fire department purchased a brick building on
Old Loudon Road from the school board for $1,000; and
WHEREAS, In those early years with expanded quarters, the Saturday
night Hose Company dances became one of the community's popular social
events; many recall with pleasure the Minstrels put on by the Ruhtz
brothers, Walter and Charles, and the old D&H Quartette that gave such
fine performances to packed houses to raise money for the Company; and
WHEREAS, The fire department later expanded the brick building to
include five bays and social quarters; in 1977, a fire destroyed a large
portion of the building; subsequently, a new station was built in 1985,
and dedicated to the main headquarters where some of the remains were
kept for posterity; and
WHEREAS, As the population continued to grow, members of the fire
department in 1972 built a sub-station on route 155 by Shaker High
School; the building, remodeled in 2000, serves residents in the south
end of Latham; and
WHEREAS, Today, Christopher Morigerato serves as Chief of the Latham
Fire Department, and John Slingerland is Chairman of the Board of Direc-
tors; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 100 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Latham 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 Latham Fire Department in public service and fire protection is one
to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 100 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 Latham 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 Latham Fire Department reflects the history
and development of firefighting over the past 100 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 100th Anniversary of the Latham Fire Department
to be celebrated on Saturday, August 14, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Latham Fire Department.