LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Kendall Fire Department, to be celebrated on March 3, 2012

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past century, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Kendall 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, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Kendall Fire Department and to honor its past and present
firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the citizens of
Kendall, New York and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, This most auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a Semi-
formal Banquet on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Clarion Hotel, Batavia, New
York; and
WHEREAS, On March 18, 1912, the Fire Commissioners of the Town of
Kendall met for the purpose of organizing a Fire Company; at a second
meeting, in June of that year, a Chemical Company of 15 members and a
Hook and Ladder Company of 14 members were organized; F. J. Whitehouse
was elected chief; and
WHEREAS, The original Fire District extended approximately from the
present site of the Elementary School on the south to include the Benke
property, north of the Concordia Lutheran Church and roughly to the
eastern and western outskirts of the village; and
WHEREAS, On September 16, 1913, fire broke out on the east side of
Main Street; since the only apparatus consisted of bucket brigades, a
blacksmith shop, hardware store, harness shop, pool room, dentist
office, and another unoccupied building were all consumed by the flames;
and
WHEREAS, This historic fire pointed out the need of better fire
protection and a contract was signed with the International Harvester
Company to build a motor truck fire apparatus; and
WHEREAS, At this time, an Engine Company, a Hose Company and a Hook
and Ladder and Chemical Company of 15 members each were formed; and
WHEREAS, In 1928, a petition was drawn up by the tax payers of the
town outside of the Fire District for fire protection; once approved,
the Fire District then included the entire town with the exception of
those parcels of land which touched on the Norway Road; a fire tax was
levied and a new truck was purchased; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after, Engine Company, Hose Company and Chemical
Company were combined under the name of the Kendall Fire Department,
Inc.; and
WHEREAS, The I.O.G.T. was purchased in 1947, and a year later the
Ladies Auxiliary was formed; and
WHEREAS, In 1961, the membership of the Kendall Fire Department was
increased to 85; with the purchase of a new truck equipped with a 750
gallon pump and a 1,000 gallon supply tank, plus optional high pressure
lines, the installation of water mains, and the Mutual Aid set-up, the
community was now fairly secure from such disastrous fires that plagued
it in the past; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, the Kendall Fire Department saw the forming of its
Fire Police; a little later, a first aid squad was established within
the department; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Kendall Fire Department in public service and fire protection is one
to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 100 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 Kendall 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 Kendall Fire Department reflects the histo-
ry and development of firefighting over the past century; 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 100th Anniversary of the Kendall Fire Department
to be celebrated on March 3, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Kendall Fire Department.