Senate Resolution No. 2245

BY: Senator GALLIVAN

COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the Alden
Hook & Ladder Fire Company, Inc.

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 125th
Anniversary of the Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Company, and to honor its
past and present firefighting members for 125 years of fire protection
to the citizens of Alden, 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 125
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Alden Hook &
Ladder Fire 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, The Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Company was approved and
recognized by the Village of Alden Board of Trustees on October 20,
1899, and was originally known as "Rescue Hook & Ladder"; and

WHEREAS, Prior to the creation of the Alden Hook & Ladder Fire
Company, the Village of Alden Board of Trustees granted the
establishment of the Alden Hose Company on July 31, 1899; both the Alden
Hose Company and the Rescue Hook & Ladder Company worked together to
protect the citizens and property of the Village of Alden, Town of
Alden, and neighboring municipalities; and

WHEREAS, The Alden Hook & Ladder Ladies Auxiliary was established in
1933; and

WHEREAS, The former Rescue Hook & Ladder Company formally
incorporated on June 30, 1949, as the Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Company;
and

WHEREAS, Although the Alden Hose Company still exists on paper in
the company files, the membership of the Alden Hose" Company became
official members of the Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Company in March of
1952; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years of protecting the citizens and
properties of the Village and Town of Alden, the Alden Hook & Ladder
Fire Company changed with the times and increased the fire and rescue
services they provided, including: the addition of the Alden Fire
Company - Underwater Recovery Team (SCUBA) in the late 1950s; the
establishment of a formal First Aid Squad in 1960; and the establishment
of the Alden Hook & Ladder Benevolent Association in 1979, to support
its members and families int heir personal times of need; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the department was one of the first in the
area to purchase a Hurst Auto Rescue Tool known as the "Jaws of Life,"
following a tragic accident after the local Prom on Henskee Road; and

WHEREAS, In 1980, the Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Company accepted its
first female member as an active member of the rescue squad; in the

summer of 1985, to increase the protection and decrease response times
in the Town of Alden, the membership of the Alden Hook & Ladder Fire
Company built and dedicated the Alden Substation currently known as
Alden Station No. 2; and

WHEREAS, On December 1, 1998, the Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Company
voted unanimously to follow the Village Boards actions and created the
first village EMS department in all of New York State; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Alden Hook & Ladder Fire 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 Alden Hook & Ladder Fire
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 Alden Hook & Ladder Fire 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 Alden Hook & Ladder
Fire Company; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Company, Inc.