LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Patc-
hogue Union Hook and Ladder Company

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 125th Anni-
versary of the Patchogue Union Hook and Ladder Company and to honor its
past and present firefighting members for 125 years of fire protection
to the citizens of Patchogue, New York, and its surrounding communities;
and
WHEREAS, The second Fire Company of the Patchogue Fire Department
organized was The Union Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1 which was started
on April 11, 1887 with Eugene A. Sloat as foreman and Gilbert Patterson
as assistant foreman; and
WHEREAS, This Company was the outcome of the burning of the Thomas
Horton house on Ocean Avenue, March 31, 1887; and
WHEREAS, The Engine men were seriously handicapped by not having
ladders, and but for the use of a ladder owned by Wilmot M. Smith, who
was then District Attorney of Suffolk County; this ladder and bucket
brigade were the inspiration for the organization of a truck Company;
and
WHEREAS, The morning after the fire, a public subscription was started
and on April 6, 1887, a meeting of the organizers was held in the office
of Justice of the Peace A. H. Carman of which George D. Gerard was
Chairman and Wilmot M. Smith, Secretary; Eugene A. Sloat, Wilmot A.
Smith and G.M. Ackerly were instructed to draft a constitution and
by-laws and have the Company incorporated; G.L. Chichester, F.W. Miller
and Gilbert Patterson were made a Committee on Apparatus; and
WHEREAS, On April 11, 1887, the permanent organization was perfected;
Wilmot M. Smith was Chairman and F.W. Miller recorded the minutes; the
name, Union Hook & Ladder and constitution and by-laws were adopted;
E.A. Sloat, G.L. Chichester, G.D. Gerard and Gilbert Patterson were
ordered to purchase a truck at a cost of $400; and
WHEREAS, The first regular meeting was held on April 20, 1887, and a
month later, the ladder truck was delivered; and
WHEREAS, The Company made its first public appearance in the Memorial
Day Parade in May 1887; and
WHEREAS, On September 8, 1887, the Company attended its first fire
which occurred in Trains Market in the Decry Building on Ocean Avenue
and Engine Company, the Department's first Company, commended Union Hook
& Ladder on the importance of their Company; and
WHEREAS, On February 5, 1895, an extension was built at the rear of
Fire Headquarters on North Ocean Avenue to accommodate the ladders,
which was horse drawn and was fifteen feet long; and
WHEREAS, The horse drawn truck was converted to a motor drawn, called
the Kissel Car; the horse drawn part was attached to the Kissel Car like
today's tractor and trailer; and
WHEREAS, Delivered on July 17, 1914, this Kissel Car and truck served
until August 8, 1928, when it was put out of service; and
WHEREAS, On May 1, 1928, an American-LaFrance city service ladder
truck was purchased and was put into service on September 28, 1928; it
was equipped with tormentor poles and a sixty-five foot extension
ladder; and
WHEREAS, In 1946, an American-LaFrance mid-ship turntable one hundred
foot aerial ladder truck was put into service; and
WHEREAS, On May 14, 1974 an eighty-five foot Sutphen mid-ship ladder
and platform truck was purchased and put into service which included a
stokes basket; and

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 125 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Patchogue Union Hook and
Ladder Company 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 Patchogue Union Hook and Ladder Company in public service and fire
protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year,
for 125 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 Patchogue Union Hook and Ladder
Company 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 Patchogue Union Hook and Ladder Company
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 125
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 125th Anniversary of the Patchogue Union Hook
and Ladder Company; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Patchogue Union Hook and Ladder Company.