LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Walton
Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 150 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Walton Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment, Inc. have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and
have won the praise and respect of the community they so proudly serve;
and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 150th Anni-
versary of the Walton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and to honor its
past and present firefighting members, for 150 years of fire protection
to the citizens of Walton, New York, and its surrounding communities;
and
WHEREAS, The Walton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. was officially
organized in 1865; its sesquicentennial will be celebrated on July 11,
2015, with all day festivities, which will include a firematics competi-
tion, open house, parade and a fireworks display at dusk; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Walton Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment, 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, 150 years ago, with hand operated pumps, firefighters battled
blazes, including the fire at the Walton Novelty Works in February of
1905; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Walton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. possesses
the latest in state of the art technology and sophisticated expertise;
and
WHEREAS, In addition to celebrating their 150 years as a department,
the Walton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. is also celebrating 25 years
in their current fire station; the Walton Volunteer Fire Department,
Inc. moved into its new facility on West Street in 1990; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated by
individual firefighters, the Walton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 150
years; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of more than 80 dedicated volunteer fire-
fighters, the record of the Walton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 150
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,
as well as their officers and auxiliaries; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Walton Volunteer Fire
Department, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Walton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.