Senate Resolution No. 2701

BY: Senator RITCHIE

COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the
Watertown Fire Department to be celebrated on May
28, 2017

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the
Bicentennial Anniversary of the Watertown Fire Department and to honor
its past and present firefighting members for 200 years of fire
protection to the citizens of Watertown, 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 200
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Watertown 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, Throughout two centuries, the Watertown Fire Department
firefighters have fought countless fires and responded to numerous
accidents, ambulance calls, and storm damage, as well as other
emergencies; and

WHEREAS, The Watertown Fire Department was initially created in 1817
as a volunteer unit for the Village of Watertown; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Fire Chief Dale
Herman, the Watertown Fire Department protects the City of Watertown,
with a team of diligent and enthusiastic career personnel; and

WHEREAS, The department is staffed with 81 full time personnel
working a four platoon system, with operations conducted from three
stations located throughout the City of Watertown in order to provide
adequate response to emergencies; and

WHEREAS, Providing protection to Watertown's 9.3 square mile City,
in 2010, the Department responded to 3,533 calls for assistance and
covers services in fire prevention, fire suppression, medical services,
vehicle extrication, fire investigation, special rescue services
including structural collapses, rope rescues, and water and ice rescues,
and hazardous materials response; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Watertown Fire Department in public service and fire protection is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 200
years, whenever the alarm sounded, these noble firefighters went to the
aid of their neighbors; and

WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Watertown 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 Watertown Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 200 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,
their officers and auxiliaries; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Watertown Fire
Department, celebrated on May 28, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dale Herman, Fire Chief, Watertown Fire Department.