LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Delhi
Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 150th
Anniversary of the Delhi Fire Department and to honor its past and pres-
ent firefighting members for 150 years of fire protection to the citi-
zens of Delhi, New York, and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, The Delhi Fire Department was organized on April 11, 1860,
and consisted of two companies, Coquago Engine Company No. 1 and Red
Jacket Hose Company No. 2; in the ensuing years, the Delhi Fire Depart-
ment expanded to include a total of six companies; and
WHEREAS, In 1900, the Delhi Fire Department reorganized itself into
four companies which included, Active Hose Company No. 1, Youmans Hose
Company No. 2, Graham Hook and Ladder Company No. 3 and Sheldon Hose
Company No. 4; and
WHEREAS, In 1908, Company No. 3 changed its name to Delhi Hook and
Ladder; in 1909, the Jackson Auxiliary was formed and based its oper-
ations out of a home located on Clinton Street; and
WHEREAS, The Delhi Fire Department was able to purchase its very first
motorized truck in 1918; then in 1924, it acquired two motorized
pumpers, a Reo Speed Wagon Hose and Chemical Truck and a Larabee pumper;
and
WHEREAS, In 1934, the Delhi Rural Fire District was formed and was
responsible for purchasing and maintaining apparatus and equipment for
fires outside the Delhi Village; however, the Delhi Fire Department
provided the manpower for the District; and
WHEREAS, The Delhi Emergency Squad organized as a Company within the
Delhi Fire Department in 1966; the same year, the Fire Police was formed
as well as the Lewis Engine Company, providing coverage to the residents
of Hamden; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, the Delhi Joint Fire District was formed, unifying
Village and Rural fire districts into one entity; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 150 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Delhi 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, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Delhi Fire Department in public service and fire protection is one
to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 150 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 Delhi 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 Delhi Fire Department reflects the history
and development of firefighting over the past 150 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 150th Anniversary of the Delhi Fire Department;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Delhi Fire Department.