LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Main-
Transit Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 75th Anniver-
sary of the Main-Transit Fire Department and to honor its past and pres-
ent firefighting members for 75 years of fire protection to the citizens
of Amherst, New York, 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 75 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Main-Transit 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, Late in the year 1935, a group of men met in a tavern owned
by Leo Gramse, located at the corner of Main and Ferndale; in 1936, the
Main-Transit Fire Department was formed, with Charles Wetzel serving as
the first Chief, and Leo Gramse serving as the first president; within
the first year, the department grew to have 60 members; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1936, the Main-Transit Fire Department has been
serving the town of Amherst, New York in Emergency Medical, Fire and
Motor Vehicle Rescue Services; it is a 100% volunteer organization that
serves a district of approximately 5.2 square miles; it also works with
many other neighboring departments when a F.A.S.T. Team or Mutual Aid is
needed; and
WHEREAS, The Main-Transit Fire Department's membership consists of
over 85 active members, a ladies auxiliary, an exempt association, and
an explorers post with 25 members; all active members are required to
have passed New York State certified courses in firefighting, and main-
tain first aid certifications; and
WHEREAS, Many Main-Transit Fire Department members are Certified First
Responders, along with some Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramed-
ics; and
WHEREAS, The first recording alarm was a grass fire on April 5, 1936,
which was extinguished with shovels, rakes and brooms; the same day, the
decision was made to purchase the department's first piece of apparatus,
a Model "T" Ford chemical truck from Cuba, New York; in 1938, the land
where Station #1 now stands was purchased, and a two-bay building was
erected; and
WHEREAS, Most recently, the Main-Transit Fire Department has been host
of the Mercy Flight Charity Tournament in June of 2001; after the tragic
events of September 11, 2001, the Department's members raised a signif-
icant amount for the families of the fallen firefighters in New York
City, and sent a crew of four EMT's in its Rescue 8 to assist at the
scene; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the Main-Transit Fire Department has had much
success and is a true asset to the Amherst community; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Main-Transit Fire Department in public service and fire protection
is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 75
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 Main-Transit 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 Main-Transit Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 75 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 75th Anniversary of the Main-Transit Fire
Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Main-Transit Fire Department.