LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Mont-
gomery Fire Department, to be celebrated July 11-17, 2010

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 200th Anni-
versary of the Montgomery Fire Department and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 200 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Montgomery, New York and surrounding Orange County communi-
ties; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; founded in 1810, the Montgomery
Fire Department is the oldest fire department in Orange County; during
the past 200 years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Mont-
gomery Fire Department have valiantly responded to all types of fire
emergencies and have won the praise and respect of the communities they
so ably serve; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of 80 dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Montgomery Fire Department in public service and fire protection is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 200
years, whenever the alarm sounded, these noble volunteers have left
their homes and gone to the aid of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Montgomery 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 Montgomery Fire Department reflects the
history and the dramatic changes in firefighting over the past 200
years; and
WHEREAS, A hundred years ago, motorized apparatus were the biggest
innovation in firefighting; 50 years ago self-contained breathing appa-
ratus were introduced; in 1958, the Montgomery Fire Department had two
SCBAs in the department; today it has 30; thermal imaging cameras, of
which the Montgomery Fire Department proudly has two, are the latest
breakthrough in firefighting technology; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the more than 90 hours of basic training
required of all new members, the Montgomery Fire Department holds regu-
lar weekly three hour or longer drills and members regularly attend New
York State Department of State Office of Fire Prevention and Control
(OFPC) outreach classes at the Orange County Fire Training Center; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Montgomery Fire Department brings in
specialized training during the year and has provided such special
training in Ice Rescue and for its new Thermal Imaging Cameras during
the past year; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; 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 200th Anniversary of the Montgomery Fire Depart-

ment, to be observed during a specially designated 200th Anniversary
Week Celebration to be held the week of July 11-17, 2010; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Montgomery Fire Department.