Assembly Resolution No. 203

BY: M. of A. Slater

COMMEMORATING the 101st Anniversary of the Mohegan
Volunteer Fire Association

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community
protection services in every locality of our State; for 101 years, the
Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association has worked to provide the best
possible emergency service to the people of Mohegan, New York, and to
minimize suffering, and loss of life and property incurred by fire,
accidents, disasters, and medical emergencies; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 101st Anniversary of the Mohegan Volunteer Fire
Association, celebrated on February 21, 2023; and

WHEREAS, On February 21, 1922, a group of local citizens met in the
little Mohegan Schoolhouse, presently known as The Rugged Boot shoe
store, for the purpose of organizing a fire department; and

WHEREAS, The meeting that inspired the creation of the Mohegan
Volunteer Fire Association occurred after a fire in one of Mohegan, New
York's hotels; the following men were believed to have been in
attendance at that impactful meeting: Theodore Hill, Jr., H. Field
Horne, Arthur Horton, J.W. Horne, William O'Neill, James Gilmartin, John
Wubbe, James Cuatt, Bernard McCord, Addison Garland, Albert Heady, David
Travis, Everett Travis, Albert Travis, George Jetter, J. Edward Jetter,
Olie Odell, Robert Foell, William Foell, Herman Croft, Christopher
Jetter, William Zugner, Cleveland Curry, and Roy Heady; and

WHEREAS, In the early 20th century, Lake Mohegan's many clubs and
hotels attracted tourists as a hub for live bands and Broadway
entertainment outside of New York City; the summer crowds swelled with
visitors from all over the region and big-name performers; and

WHEREAS, Prior to 1922, fires were fought by the Peekskill Fire
Companies and the Yorktown Heights Engine Company, however, their
effectiveness in being able to reach a fire in time to save lives and
property was limited; the growth in tourism and population surrounding
the Lake Mohegan community led to a need to develop a fire department;
and

WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Mohegan Volunteer Fire
Association 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 Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 101
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 selflessly 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 101st Anniversary of the Mohegan Volunteer Fire
Association; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association.