LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Gardi-
ner Fire Department to be celebrated on October 13-14, 2012

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Gardiner Fire Department and to honor its past and pres-
ent firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the citi-
zens of Gardiner 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 100 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of Gardiner 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 Gardiner 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 Gardiner 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, Gardiner Fire Department reflects the history
and development of firefighting over the past 100 years; and
WHEREAS, In 1912, the first fire district was formed in the hamlet of
Gardiner and the first apparatus, a hand pumper was purchased and Lee
McIntosh served as the first Fire Chief; in 1925, a great fire destroyed
a good portion of the hamlet, and it soon became apparent that better
equipment and a larger fire district was a necessity; and
WHEREAS, A committee was formed and soon the movement to dissolve the
original small fire district was well under way; it was replaced by a
larger district and by 1926, a new Sanford Engine had been purchased and
put into service, and John Moran was elected to serve both as Chief and
also as President of the Gardiner Fire Company; and
WHEREAS, In April 1977, the traditional firefighting services were
augmented by the formation of an emergency rescue and first aid squad;
all fire and rescue/first aid apparatus is owned by the Gardiner Fire
District; and
WHEREAS, The Fire District is comprised of an elected municipal board
of commissioners organized under New York State Law; the Fire District
currently owns an ambulance, rescue truck, three engines, a tanker, and
a brush truck; all of this apparatus is housed in the two firehouses and
is operated by volunteer members of the Fire 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 100th Anniversary of the Gardiner Fire Depart-
ment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gardiner Fire Department.