LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Constantia Volunteer Fire Department, to be celebrated on Saturday,
April 26, 2014

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th
Anniversary of the Constantia Volunteer Fire Department, to be cele-
brated at an Installation of Officers ceremony on Saturday, April 26,
2014, at the West Monroe Fire House in West Monroe, New York, and to
honor its past and present firefighting members for a century of bravery
and distinguished service; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community support
services in every locality of our State; during the past 100 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Constantia 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, The Constantia Volunteer Fire Department was organized in
April of 1914, when 68 men from the community came together to form a
fire company for the protection and service of the people of Constantia,
New York; it was incorporated on May 23, 1914, and thanks to the initi-
ative and courage of its members, has endured ever since; and
WHEREAS, Over the last century, the scope of services offered by the
department has evolved to include the courageous duties of fire rescue
and fire suppression, fire police investigations, emergency medical
services and motor vehicle extrication; its members also perform vital
water rescue and recovery operations, as well as ice rescue operations
on Oneida Lake; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed fire company is proud of the various tools and
equipment in its firehouse; it currently possesses two engine pumpers,
one water tanker, two rescue trucks, two water rescue boats, one ATV,
and one snowmobile; and
WHEREAS, The Constantia Volunteer Fire Department responds to over 400
alarms per year, and in 2013, its members have selflessly devoted over
9000 hours to responding to emergency calls; Constantia firefighters
have also devoted large amounts of time to expanding and maintaining
their skills, collectively averaging 1500 to 2000 hours in training each
year; and
WHEREAS, The Constantia Volunteer Fire Department is known for giving
back to the community; its major annual event, the Firemen's Field Day,
provides food and entertainment, a large community parade, and a variety
of activities for children and adults; the department also has sponsored
a golf tournament, chicken barbeques, fall festivals, the Miss Oneida
Lake Beauty Pageant and a classic and antique car show; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Constantia 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, 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 100th Anniversary of the Constantia Volunteer Fire
Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Constantia Volunteer Fire Department.