LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the East
Islip Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 125th
Anniversary of the East Islip Fire Department and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for more than a century of fire protection
to the citizens of East Islip, New York, and its surrounding communi-
ties; and
WHEREAS, The members of the East Islip Fire Department will celebrate
this momentous occasion at its Annual Installation of Officers Dinner,
on Saturday, February 22, 2014, to be held at Upsky Long Island Hotel,
Hauppauge, New York; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 125 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the East Islip 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, The East Islip Fire Department was officially founded on
April 4, 1889, when 31 members of the community came together to form
Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; two years later, the fire company
responded to a fire at the home of S.T. Peters, who was so grateful, he
provided the firefighters with their first hose; the company subsequent-
ly became known as Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and S.T. Peters Hose
Company; and
WHEREAS, The Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and S.T. Peters Hose Compa-
ny were officially designated as the East Islip Fire Department on Janu-
ary 12, 1892; and
WHEREAS, In 1927, the current home of the firehouse was built out of
solid brick on an acre of land, and the old firehouse was moved to
Somerset Avenue where it still stands today as an occupied residence;
and
WHEREAS, The East Islip Fire Department helped combat the Pine Barrens
brush fire in 1995, which consumed roughly 7,000 acres of brush on the
east end of Long Island; and
WHEREAS, In addition, when Hurricane Sandy ravaged East Islip and the
surrounding areas in 2012, the members of the East Islip Fire Department
brought immediate aid to those in need, and worked tirelessly to restore
their beautiful community; and
WHEREAS, Today, the 125 members of the East Islip Fire Department are
proudly celebrating 125 years of continuous service in one of the most
respected Fire Departments in New York State; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the East Islip Fire Department in public service and fire protection is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 125
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 East Islip 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 East Islip Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 125 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 125th Anniversary of the East Islip Fire Depart-
ment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the East Islip Fire Department.