LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the
Watkins Glen Fire Department to be celebrated on August 25, 2012

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 150th Anni-
versary of the Watkins Glen Fire Department and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 150 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Watkins Glen and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, To observe this most auspicious occasion, the Village of
Watkins Glen and the Watkins Glen Fire Department will be hosting a Four
Alarm Celebration on Saturday, August 25, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Since 1862, the Watkins Glen Fire Department has efficiently
and effectively carried out its charge to prevent and extinguish fires
and protect the lives of its residents and visitors of their community;
and
WHEREAS, Today, the Watkins Glen Fire Department answers over 800
calls a year to respond to house fires, brush fires, motor vehicle acci-
dents, hazardous material responses, emergency medical service and
rescue calls, and a variety of public service calls; and
WHEREAS, Markedly better than the national average, the Watkins Glen
Fire Department has an average response time of only four minutes; and
WHEREAS, The Watkins Glen Fire Department also gives and receives
additional emergency help and support through mutual aid arrangements
with neighboring communities; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 150 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Watkins Glen 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 Watkins Glen Fire Department in public service and fire protection
is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 150
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 Watkins Glen 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 Watkins Glen Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 150 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 150th Anniversary of the Watkins Glen Fire
Department to be celebrated on August 25, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Watkins Glen Fire Department.