LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Jamestown Professional Fire Depart-
ment upon the occasion of its 100th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor fire companies 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, During the past century, the courageous and devoted fire-
fighters of the Jamestown Professional Fire Department have valiantly
responded to all types of emergencies and have won the praise and
respect of the community they serve; and
WHEREAS, The Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1827
to serve the newly incorporated Village of Jamestown; the Fire Depart-
ment's first equipment purchase was made that year, adding a fire
engine, fire hooks, ladders, and the construction of an engine house;
and
WHEREAS, Following significant growth in the Jamestown population from
its inception to the granting of its city charter in 1886 and beyond,
the volunteer companies were no longer capable of protecting the city; a
devastating fire at the Gokey Shoe Factory underscored the need for a
professional, well-trained fire department in Jamestown; and
WHEREAS, The Jamestown Professional Fire Department was established to
serve the Jamestown, New York, community on March 1, 1911; the Profes-
sional Department was created through the transfer of the best volunteer
firefighters from the disbanded volunteer department; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of its long and distinguished history, the
Jamestown Fire Department has lost a total of nine firefighters in the
line of duty, with the greatest single loss of four firefighters in the
Richfield Oil Company blaze of 1934; and
WHEREAS, 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, Sufficient gratitude cannot be expressed 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 intent 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
honor the Jamestown Professional Fire Department upon the occasion of
its 100th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Jamestown Professional Fire Department.