LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Ulster
Hose Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 70th Anniver-
sary of the Ulster Hose Fire Department and to honor its past and pres-
ent firefighting members for 70 years of fire protection to the citizens
of Ulster County 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 70 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Ulster Hose 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, In the early part of 1940, two men, Albert Montavani and John
Osterhoudt, felt there was a strong need for fire protection in the Town
of Ulster, and with only their drive and determination to help them,
they each set forth to make this dream a reality; and
WHEREAS, A meeting was held at the Lincoln Park Inn to discuss the
future of the Ulster Hose Fire Department; the first group of 21 men who
helped establish the Ulster Hose Fire Department include: Albert Monta-
vani, John Osterhoudt, William Williams, Don Hopper, Ed Avery, Frank
Avery, Chuck Hummer, Bud Rappleyea, Joe Mcnierney, Charles Thiel, Bill
Harbig, Bill Piepers, Al Kiersted Sr., James Krom, Charles Rose, Dick
Lamb, Ralph Hayner Sr., Jack Kolts, Halsy Bulivant, Charles Mueller and
Harold Macholdt; and
WHEREAS, The first vehicle that was used by these men was John
Osterhoudt's own Packard which he donated to the cause; in addition, a
button had been installed on a pole in front of John Osterhoudt's home,
which when pushed would activate a siren; upon hearing the siren, the
firefighters would rush out to the street and wait to be picked up by
him on his way to the call; and
WHEREAS, At the end of 1941, the United States had entered World War
II, making the need for the Ulster Hose Fire Department an even greater
one; at this time, the Ulster Hose Fire Department entered into the
Civilian Defense Program which was led by James Krom; and
WHEREAS, Finally, after four years of hard work on March 9, 1944, the
first recorded meeting of the Ulster Hose Fire Department conducted
elections and six men were named as Fire Commissioners including:
Charles Thiel, Chairman; William Pratt, Treasurer; A.H. Chambers;
Charles Bevorant; Ben Ashton; and Fred Gildersleeve; and
WHEREAS, In January of 1945, a 1936 Chevrolet Truck was purchased from
Phelan & Cahill which would be the Ulster Hose Fire Department's first
official fire engine; this same year, the first meeting of the Ladies
Auxiliary was held; and
WHEREAS, On December 5, 1945, official maps of the new fire district
along with the legal papers showing the formation of the Ulster Hose
Fire Department were sent to the underwriters and were accepted; and
WHEREAS, The men of the Ulster Hose Fire Department continued to
provide fire and medical service to the residents with one fire engine
out of John Osterhoudt's home until November 1946, when a committee was
formed to begin the plans to build a new fire house; and
WHEREAS, The first meeting in the new Ulster Hose Fire Department's
building was held on February 3, 1948, and an Open House was held to
show the community the new fire house; and
WHEREAS, In September 1952, an addition was added to the Ulster Hose
Fire Department building to handle the department's growing needs; and
WHEREAS, Over the past several years, the department had purchased
newer and larger equipment to meet the needs of the growing community;

changes continued to take place to the building with a construction
project finishing in 1969; and
WHEREAS, By 1972, all the fire phones in the district had been
replaced with County Wide dispatching, and the number of calls responded
to in 1979 was 363; ten years later, the Ulster Hose Fire Department had
a certified dive team; and
WHEREAS, In November of 1986, a vote passed to build a new fire
station, and in April of 1987, the old station was sold to the Kerhonk-
son Tire Company; and
WHEREAS, At the end of 1992, the Ulster Hose Fire Department had
responded to 805 calls; one year later, the department ended the year
with a record 973 calls; and
WHEREAS, The Ulster Hose Fire Department has evolved from a one vehi-
cle department to its current fleet of more than 14 vehicles; the
membership is currently over 90 men and women, and the calls for service
have been between 1200 and 1500 each year; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Ulster Hose Fire Department in public service and fire protection is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 70 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 Ulster Hose 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 Ulster Hose Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 70 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 70th Anniversary of the Ulster Hose Fire Depart-
ment; and be it further
.SO DOC A R1437 RESO TEXT 2013
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Ulster Hose Fire Department.