LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Armonk
Fire Department to be celebrated on Saturday, June 26, 2010

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 80th Anniver-
sary of the Armonk Fire Department and to honor its past and present
firefighting members for 80 years of fire protection to the citizens of
Armonk and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, The Armonk Fire Department was organized in April of 1930,
founded by William Taylor, Harry Williams, and Harry Jackson; these
three men, returning from a day of clamming in Cos Cob, Connecticut,
stopped to assist the Greenwich, County Fire Department extinguish a
grass fire; and
WHEREAS, Each man was issued a broom to help put out the fire; after
the fire burned out on the Connecticut side, it traveled over to New
York after which the Greenwich Company went home leaving three men with
the brooms to finish the job; on their way home, they began discussing
the need for a fire Department in Armonk, New York; and
WHEREAS, The men had several private meetings before making a final
decision to go ahead with their idea; after enlisting the support of
several other men in the town who they felt might be interested, they
decided there was enough enthusiasm, support and need for the creation
of an Armonk Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Prior to this time, the only fire protection for the Armonk
area had to be summoned from Mt. Kisco; coming this distance took valu-
able time which in many cases could not be afforded; and
WHEREAS, Meetings for the purpose of obtaining a charter from the
State of New York were held in the rear of Harry William's auto repair
shop; after obtaining legal counsel and the required number of signa-
tures, a petition was forwarded to the State of New York and a charter
granted; and
WHEREAS, The first truck, affectionately nicknamed Leapin'Lena, was a
Locomobile chemical truck purchased from the Bedford Hills Fire Depart-
ment for $200; having no funds as yet in their treasury, the truck was
paid for with a personal check from Harry Williams and was housed in his
garage; and
WHEREAS, For a fire alarm, they retrieved a railroad locomotive iron
tire from the Bronx River; this was suspended from a wooden structure
alongside the garage and struck with a sledge hammer to alert the
members of any emergencies; this locomotive tire was donated to the
scrap drive for the war effort in 1942, and was later replaced; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 80 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Armonk 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 Armonk Fire Department in public service and fire protection is one
to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 80 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 Armonk Fire Department,
currently made up of 60 active men and women, 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 Armonk Fire Department reflects the history
and development of firefighting over the past 80 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 80th Anniversary of the Armonk Fire Department
to be celebrated with a Parade on Saturday, June 26, 2010; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Armonk Fire Department.