LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the New
York City Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 150th Anni-
versary of the New York City Fire Department, and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 150 years of fire protection to the
citizens of New York City; 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 FDNY have valiantly responded
to all types of fire emergencies and have won the praise and respect of
the community which they serve; and
WHEREAS, To celebrate this auspicious milestone, the New York City
Fire Department (FDNY) will be hosting a series of community events
throughout the year paying tribute to this fine organization's tradition
of bravery and service to others; and
WHEREAS, Established as a paid professional organization in 1865, FDNY
began after New York City's volunteer fire departments were abolished by
a state act; two new firefighting agencies, the Metropolitan Fire
District and the Metropolitan Fire Department, were created, and later
combined during the consolidation of the Greater City of New York in
1898; and
WHEREAS, On March 25, 1911, the historic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
Fire killed 146 people, most or whom were young female immigrant work-
ers; in response, new laws were enacted, and the FDNY established its
first Fire College to train new firefighters later that year; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the 20th Century, FDNY continued to expand and
grow its operations, adding such sophisticated fire equipment as tower
ladders, the Super Pumper System, and the Maxi-Water Unit; other techni-
cal advances added include the introduction of high pressure water
systems, the creation of a Marine fleet, and the utilization of improved
radio communications; and
WHEREAS, FDNY experienced both its finest and saddest moment during
the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; New York City firefighters
displayed tremendous heroism and resilience assisting their fellow citi-
zens during one of the most horrific attacks in our country's history;
343 FDNY firefighters, EMTs and paramedics lost their lives that day
while courageously taking part in rescue operations; and
WHEREAS, Today, FDNY is the largest municipal fire department in the
United States and the second largest in the world; it employs approxi-
mately 10,200 uniformed firefighters and over 3,600 uniformed EMTs and
paramedics who bravely serve more than eight million New York City resi-
dents; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the New York City 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 FDNY 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, FDNY 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 fire departments of this great Empire State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the New York City Fire
Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Daniel A. Nigro, Commissioner, New York City Fire Department.