LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 120th Anniversary of the Downs-
ville Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 120th Anni-
versary of the Downsville Fire Department and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 120 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Downsville 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 120 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Downsville 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, A major fire in the Downsville business district in 1890 led
to the formation of the Downsville Fire Department on March 4, 1896; and
WHEREAS, The Fire Department began as the Downsville Hose Company and
quickly added the T.K. Walker Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 to provide
additional aid; the two companies merged in 1917, to form the Downsville
Fire District and purchased its first fire hall, which is currently the
Downsville Hardware building; and
WHEREAS, At this time, the firefighting apparatus consisted of hand-
and horse-drawn equipment; the first gas-powered truck was added in
1926; and
WHEREAS, In 1953, the Fire Department decided to build a new fire hall
and Cooks Falls-Horton residents petitioned to join the district the
next year; the women's auxiliary was formed in 1956, to assist the fire
company; and
WHEREAS, The Downsville Emergency Squad was organized in 1966, and the
first ambulance purchased by the Fire Department was a green Cadillac;
previously, the Fire Department had been using a hearse; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, the Fire Department purchased what is now the Downs-
ville Fireman's Park, and continues to hold field days there to the
delight of the community; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Downsville Fire Chief Mark
Mattson, the Fire Department remains strong and is looking to progress
in the coming years; an influx of new members and new leadership will
help it move in the right direction by becoming more efficient and more
involved; and
WHEREAS, With 30 active members, the Downsville Fire Department
responds to approximately 180 calls every year; seven new Emergency
Medical Technicians will be joining the Fire Department, further enhanc-
ing the services that they can provide to the community; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Downsville Fire Department in public service and fire protection is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 120
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 Downsville 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 Downsville Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 120 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 120th Anniversary of the Downsville Fire Depart-
ment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mark Mattson, Chief, Downsville Fire Department.