LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Bridgewater Fire Company, Inc.

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Bridgewater Fire Company, Inc., and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Bridgewater, 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 100 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Bridgewater Fire Company,
Inc. have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and have
won the praise and respect of the community which they serve; and
WHEREAS, In March of 1914, a citizens meeting was held at Hibbard
House Hotel with Herbert Palmer as chairman, Howard Miller as clerk, and
the first volunteer members of a fire company to be known as the Bridge-
water Chemical Company; during this meeting the following officers were
elected to serve the new company's leadership: Earl M. Rising, Presi-
dent; William H. Jones, Vice President; Louis Tillson, Fire Chief;
Claude Wilkinson, Assistant Chief; George Tripp, Secretary; and H.
Orville Rising, Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, In 1915, a fire station property was acquired from Louis
Beltz, and was fully operational; however, the Bridgewater Chemical
Company did not become officially incorporated until 1937; and
WHEREAS, In 1949, the Bridgewater Chemical Company formed the Fire
Protection District, and changed its name to Bridgewater Fire Company,
Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the Bridgewater Fire Company, Inc. augmented
its equipment and vehicles, remaining on the cutting edge of firefight-
ing technology; in 1986, a new firehouse was built on land purchased
from Bill Williams; and
WHEREAS, The Advanced Life Support Ambulance was added to the Bridge-
water Fire District in 1994, providing its community with an important
set of life-saving protocols and skills, and enhancing the ability of
the Bridgewater Fire Company, Inc. to save lives; one year later, the
Ambulance was upgraded to a Paramedic Level; and
WHEREAS, In April of 2005, a new addition was built to the Bridgewater
Firehouse with a new meeting room and fire truck bay; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous direction of Fire Chief William
DeKing Jr., with a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Bridgewater Fire Company, Inc. 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 Bridgewater Fire Company, Inc.
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 Bridgewater Fire Company, Inc. 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 Bridgewater Fire Compa-
ny, Inc; and be it further.
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Bridgewater Fire Company, Inc.