LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Machi-
as Volunteer Fire Department

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor fire departments and their members who have exhibited great dedi-
cation, courage and selflessness in protecting their neighbors from the
ravages of fire and other disasters in this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Since the early days of the "teapot steamers," the community
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great State's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
100th Anniversary of the Machias Volunteer Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, The Machias Volunteer Fire Department was created in early
1911, with 11 members in the Department working from a hose cart using
leather buckets to carry water within a private hydrant district; in
1921, the Department was renamed the William Weller Hose Company for the
benefactor who purchased its first truck; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of its long and distinguished history, the
Machias Volunteer Fire Department has fought a large number of serious
structure fires, working to preserve lives and property; the Department
has also responded to numerous other disasters, including floods and ice
storms; and
WHEREAS, After 75 years as the William Weller Hose Company, the
Department officially changed its name back to the original Machias
Volunteer Fire Department in 1996; and
WHEREAS, The Machias Volunteer Fire Department provides fire and emer-
gency medical services to the Town of Machias, with an area of approxi-
mately 36 square miles; the Department also provides mutual aid assist-
ance to other communities in Cattaraugus County and beyond, with
personnel responding to natural disasters in Gowanda, Buffalo, Randolph
and Olean, among others, and the terrorist attacks on New York City on
September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters not only provide the critical service
of fire protection but also engage in other activities of great benefit
and importance to the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others
and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family
and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those distinguished fire companies that have achieved notable
success in protecting lives and property over the course of their long
histories in this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Machias Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Machias Volunteer Fire Department.