LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Chap-
paqua Volunteer Fire Department to be celebrated on May 14, 2010

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Chappaqua Volunteer Fire Department and to honor its past
and present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Chappaqua, New York, and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Chappaqua Volunteer Fire Department will
proudly celebrate this most auspicious occasion with a 100th Anniversary
Parade to be held on Friday, May 14, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The birth of the Chappaqua Volunteer Fire Department came in
May of 1910, when J.I.D. Bristol Engine Company was chartered; the
Company was named after its founder who was the largest land developer
in the town at that time; along with founding the Company, he also
donated the first "truck", a Thomas Car; the Department operated out of
Odd Fellows Hall, located on Rt. 117 across from today's headquarters;
and
WHEREAS, A few weeks after Bristol was chartered, a second company,
called the Chappaqua Fire Company was founded; their headquarters were
in Crossons Blacksmith shop, which was located where the Quaker Street
Bridge now stands; on August 4, 1911, the company's name was changed to
the Chappaqua Independent Fire Company; and
WHEREAS, In 1928, the town formed the New Castle Fire District No. 1;
at this time the two existing companies joined to form what is known
today as the Chappaqua Fire Department; the new fire district appointed
William Bullock as the first Chief of the Department; and
WHEREAS, As the Department grew in size, the wives of the members
decided to pitch in and help, as a result, in 1935, they formed the
Ladies Auxiliary; in the early 1980s the name was changed to the Associ-
ation of the Chappaqua Fire Department; to this day, this group contin-
ues to provide support to the membership which includes fundraising,
food preparation as well as public relations events; and
WHEREAS, In October 1937, the Department added a third company, known
as the Chappaqua Fire Patrol; they assumed the duties of policing fire
scenes and traffic control; today, all members of the Department are
cross trained in all aspects of firefighting/rescue and are assigned
specific duties by the officer or chief in charge; and
WHEREAS, Up until 1953, all the Department's equipment was housed at
the Senter Street Firehouse; then, in 1954, because of added equipment,
a new firehouse was built on the corner of Bedford Road and King Street
(Routes 117 and 120); when completed, the Bristol Engine Company moved
in while the Chappaqua Independent Company and the Chappaqua Fire Patrol
remained at Senter Street; and
WHEREAS, As the town continued to grow and the demands of the depart-
ment became greater, an addition to the Bedford Road Firehouse was
constructed in 1979; when completed, the Independent Company relocated
to the Bedford Road Firehouse; in 1985, the Chappaqua Fire Patrol moved
into the Bedford Road Firehouse as it was determined that responding out
of one firehouse ensured that the Department had the appropriate manpow-
er on each piece of apparatus; and
WHEREAS, Presently, the Chappaqua Volunteer Fire Department operates
three Class Engines (pumpers), one 75' Tower Ladder, one Heavy Rescue
(Jaws of Life), one Utility Vehicle, a 1937 Antique Engine (pumper) and
an 1851 Crabb Hose Carriage; the Utility, Antique and Hose Carriage are
all housed at Senter Street with the remainder of the apparatus at Fire
Headquarters; and

WHEREAS, The Chappaqua Fire Department remains a fully volunteer
department staffed by one Chief, two Assistant Chiefs, one Deputy Chief,
one Captain, three Lieutenants and 72 firefighters; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 100 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Chappaqua Volunteer 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 Chappaqua Volunteer Fire Department in public service and fire
protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year,
for 100 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 Chappaqua Volunteer 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 Chappaqua Volunteer Fire Department
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 100
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 100th Anniversary of the Chappaqua Volunteer
Fire Department to be celebrated on May 14, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Chappaqua Volunteer Fire Department.