LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the North
Collins Volunteer Fire Company, to be celebrated on March 29, 2014

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 125th Anni-
versary of the North Collins Volunteer Fire Company, and to honor its
past and present firefighting members for 125 years of fire protection
to the citizens of North Collins, New York, and its surrounding communi-
ties; 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 North Collins Volunteer Fire
Company have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and
have won the praise and respect of the community which they serve; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the North Collins Volunteer Fire Company 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 North Collins Volunteer Fire
Company 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 North Collins Volunteer Fire Company
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 125
years; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1889, the North Collins Volunteer Fire Company
was originally organized as "North Collins Fire Protection" by Ed
Rubling, George Smith, Allaster Smith, H.M. Blasdell, David Sherman, and
George Sucher; and
WHEREAS, The fledgling fire company's original equipment, mostly
obtained through private donations, consisted of hand pumpers, with the
capability of reaching the top of a three-story building and which were
operated with six to eight men pulling and pumping, and two-wheeled hose
carts carrying 200 feet of hose; firefighting coats and hats were
scarce, and the specialized boots had to be purchased by the firefight-
ers themselves; and
WHEREAS, The first siren was installed in 1922, and was blown every
day at 1:00 PM for many years; the first motor fire truck was purchased
in 1926; and
WHEREAS, In 1958 the fire company was officially incorporated as the
North Collins Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., two years after the erection
of the fire hall it still calls home; and
WHEREAS, Over the years the North Collins Volunteer Fire Company has
upgraded its equipment and facilities to keep pace with the ever-chang-
ing needs of its community and advances in fire protection and
prevention; two major infrastructure investments include the building of
a training center, and the purchase of a Young Pumper/Tanker with a
1,000 gallon tank, along with a 1250 GPM Pump; and
WHEREAS, Today, the North Collins Volunteer Company is ably led by
officers: President, Russ Judson; Vice President, Brandon Wilczynski;
Treasurer, Aaron Renaldo; and Secretary, Larry Wroblewski; and line
officers: Chief, Jim Miller; 1st Assistant Chief, David Wilczynski; 2nd
Assistant Chief, Keith Ayers; Captains, Brandon Wilczynski, Aron Ayers,
and Kyle Hoffman; and Fire Police Captain, Paul Lawton; 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 North Collins Volunteer
Fire Company, to be celebrated on March 29, 2014; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the North Collins Volunteer Fire Company.