LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Setauket Fire Department to be celebrated on Friday, February 27, 2009

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Setauket Fire Department and to honor its past and pres-
ent firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the citi-
zens of Setauket and its surrounding communities; 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 Setauket 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, A century ago in the village of East Setauket a meeting was
called for the purpose of organizing a volunteer fire company; homes and
farms were widely scattered, and although friends and neighbors were
willing to help in an emergency, by the time help could arrive, pails
and brooms were of little avail against a fire raging out of control;
therefore, on August 11, 1909, a number of men met at the Good Templar's
Hall and after selecting temporary officers, the group called themselves
the "East Setauket Hook and Ladder Company"; and
WHEREAS, Through the years the Setauket Fire Department has grown and
expanded; today, it operates with three companies, Engine Company 1
based out of the Main Street firehouse, Engine Company 9 based out of
the Arrowhead Lane firehouse, and Hook & Ladder Company 1 based out of
the Nicholls Road firehouse; this proud organization that has served its
community since 1909, has grown from one firehouse with a horse drawn
piece of equipment, to a modern Fire Department with three firehouses,
four ambulances, three brush trucks, two rescue boats, five attack
pumpers, two rescue trucks and two ladder trucks all manned by dedicated
volunteers; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
Setauket 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, when-
ever the alarm sounded, these noble volunteers left their homes and went
to the aid of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of Setauket 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, Setauket 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 Setauket Fire Depart-
ment to be celebrated on Friday, February 27, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Setauket Fire Department.