LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of Ontario
Hose Company No. 5

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 125th
Anniversary of Ontario Hose Company No. 5 and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for their years of fire protection to the
citizens of Middletown, 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 125 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of Ontario Hose Company No. 5 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 Ontario Hose Company No. 5 was founded in 1889, when a
group of community minded local men held a meeting at the North End Soap
Factory to draw up a petition to form a fire company for the growing
North Middletown community; and
WHEREAS, On October 1, 1889, the city of Middletown accepted the
Ontario Hose Company No. 5 as a fire company; the first apparatus
acquired by the Ontario Hose Company No. 5 was a jumper from the McQuoid
Engine Company No. 3; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Ontario Hose Company No. 5 has utilized a
number of different fire engines; including an American LaFrance pumper,
a Maxim pumper, a Mack/Pierce pumper and in 2006, a KME pumper which is
their present in-service apparatus; and
WHEREAS, A number of this esteemed organization's members have served
in such important roles in the Middletown Fire Department as Chief Engi-
neer and Assistant Chief; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
Ontario Hose Company No. 5 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, 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 Ontario Hose Company No. 5;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ontario Hose Company No. 5.