LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 120th Anniversary of the
Collins Center Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 120th Anni-
versary of the Collins Center Fire Department and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 120 years of fire protection to the
citizens of the Town of Collins 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 120 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Collins Center Fire Depart-
ment have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and have
won the praise and respect of the community which they serve; and
WHEREAS, On September 29, 1892, the Town of Collins residents decided
that they could no longer rely on neighbors gathering tree limbs to
fight flames or form bucket brigades from the nearest water source to
deal with fire; thus an organization specifically meant to meet a commu-
nity need was formed being the Collins Center Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, There were 26 men headed by H.F. Clark, and their equipment,
which consisted of a hand-drawn pumper made up the newly formed Collins
Center Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Today, firefighters train in numerous areas, including: pump
operation, water supply, forestry fire, incident command, auto extrica-
tion, and search and rescue operations; in addition to these duties,
some of the Company's current personnel have also trained in Emergency
Medical Technician duties, as well as CPRIAED, receiving certificates in
each; specialized training has also been mandated by the regulations of
OSHA; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Collins Center Fire Department in public service and fire protection
is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 120
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 Collins Center 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 Collins Center Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 120 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 120th Anniversary of the Collins Center Fire
Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Collins Center Fire Department.