Assembly Resolution No. 2066

BY: M. of A. Beephan

COMMEMORATING the 75th Anniversary of the New
Hackensack Fire Company to be celebrated on June 7
to 9, 2024

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 75th
Anniversary of the New Hackensack Fire Company to be celebrated on June
7 to 9, 2024 and to honor its past and present firefighting members for
75 years of fire protection to the citizens of Wappinger, New York and
its surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the New Hackensack Fire Company in public service and fire protection is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 75 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 New Hackensack 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 New Hackensack Fire Company reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 75 years; and

WHEREAS, The New Hackensack Fire Company will be hosting a weekend
celebration from Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9, 2024,
culminating with the Dutchess County Volunteer Firefighters Parade on
Saturday, June 8, 2024; and

WHEREAS, With no fire protection in the New Hackensack Fire District
prior to June 6, 1949, fires that occurred then often just burned
naturally; this section of the Town of Wappinger that was called No
Man's Land took in the majority of the town; and

WHEREAS, In 1948, several concerned citizens that resided in the
area known as Myers Corners and the hamlet of New Hackensack, embarked
on the journey of forming a fire district that would cover and provide
fire protection for this No Man's Land area; No Man's Land officially
became a new Fire District on March 3, 1949, and five men were appointed
Fire Commissioners by the Town Board; and

WHEREAS, On June 6, 1949, about 40 local men met in the upstairs
meeting room of the Mt. Hope Grange for the first meeting of the fire
company; 31 men volunteered and signed up to become the first
firefighters of the New Hackensack Fire Company; and

WHEREAS, Soon thereafter, the Commissioners of the New Hackensack
Fire Company purchased 1.9 acres of land; then, a 30 x 50 foot building
was soon constructed which had room for 2 vehicles, and a kitchen; and

WHEREAS, Expanding throughout the years, a Ladies Auxiliary was also
formed, and they became a very integral part of the fledgling new Fire
Company; and

WHEREAS, In May of 1950, the New Hackensack Fire Company purchased
its first fire engine, a Sanford Fire Equipment pumper with a 500-gallon
water tank, a 500 GPM pump mounted on a 1949 Ford F-7 flathead V8; their
technology and system has greatly improved as their members continue to
innovate their department; 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 75th Anniversary of the New Hackensack Fire
Company to be celebrated on June 7 to 9, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the New Hackensack Fire Company.