Assembly Resolution No. 33

BY: M. of A. Norris

COMMEMORATING the 75th Anniversary of the
Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire Company to be
celebrated on February 11, 2023

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 75th
Anniversary of the Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire Company and to honor its
past and present firefighting members for 75 years of fire protection to
the citizens of Wolcottsville, 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 75
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of Wolcottsville
Volunteer 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, With a history of dedicated firefighter membership spanning
over seven decades, the Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire Company was founded
in 1947, with 66 people affixing their signatures to a petition as a
show of support for its establishment; and

WHEREAS, On April 14, 1947, a meeting was called to order by Robert
Fink; 23 prospective members were present and three temporary officers
were elected: Arthur Fiegel as Chairman, Norman Schleef as Co-Chairman,
and Robert Fink as Secretary; and

WHEREAS, Following this April meeting, two committees were
established to investigate the availability of government surplus
equipment and the availability of other fire equipment; and

WHEREAS, On April 22, 1947, a meeting was held, and the following
were elected officers of the new Fire Company: Arthur Ewald, President;
Robert Fink, Vice President; Oswald Palmreuter, Treasurer; Raymond Sy,
Secretary; Harold Baehr, Sergeant at Arms; Roy Frey, Fire Chief; Arthur
Fiegel, Assistant Fire Chief; Walter Sy, Captain; Walter Martin,
Lieutenant; Lloyd Meitz, Carl Riemer, and Kenneth Hoste, as Trustees;
and William Pogel as Steward; and

WHEREAS, In June of 1947, the Company purchased its first truck and
hoses, and held its first parade in Pembroke, New York; and

WHEREAS, During the balance of the year, the new Fire Company put on
a Field Day, held several raffles, marched in several parades including
The Newstead World War II Veterans Association Parade, Wrights corners,
South Lockport, Rapids, Olcott, Newfane, Middleport and Clarence Center
Fire Company Field day parades; Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire Company
also put on a Turkey Party, sent representatives to the Niagara County
Volunteer Firemen's Association and Western New York Volunteer Firemen's
Association meeting and purchased a tank truck; and

WHEREAS, At a meeting on September 2, 1947, the Fire Company voted
to purchase 8.5 acres of land; this is the site where the Wolcottsville
Volunteer Fire Company stands today; and

WHEREAS, The record of the Wolcottsville Volunteer 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 Wolcottsville Volunteer 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, Much of the ongoing successes of the Company are due to the
able leadership of Presidents and Chiefs both past and present; the
current President, Bill Tobin and Fire Chief, Paul Gurnett, embody such
successes and are a symbol of the resilience and traditions of these
long-standing fire companies across the Nation; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated
by individual firefighters, Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire Company
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 75
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 75th Anniversary of Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire
Company; and be it further

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