LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Pine
Island Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 80th Anniver-
sary of the Pine Island Fire Department and to honor its past and pres-
ent firefighting members for 80 years of fire protection to the citizens
of Pine Island, 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 80 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Pine Island 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, On Sunday, December 22, 1935, a group of 19 young men met for
the purpose of organizing a Volunteer Fire Company in Pine Island, with
the object being the gathering of a company of men of good moral and
honest character as volunteer firemen to prevent the spread of fire in
Pine Island, New York and vicinity, and to promote good fellowship
amongst members; and
WHEREAS, Among the guests who were instrumental in helping form this
company were Captain George W. Lappine who acted as temporary chairman,
Chief Martin J. Maher, Trustee William Weed and other officers of the
Florida Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, In January of 1936, the first regular meeting was held and
the name of "Pulaski Fire Company" was adopted as the name of the Volun-
teer Fire Company of Pine Island, in honor of Count Casimer Pulaski, a
patriot of Poland and America in the Revolutionary War; the bylaws were
adopted in April of 1936, and the Pulaski Fire Company was incorporated
under the laws of the State of New York as a Volunteer Fire Company in
May 1936; and
WHEREAS, The Pulaski Fire Company was accepted as a member of the
Orange County Volunteer Firemen's Association in September of 1936, as a
member of the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association in February
of 1937, and the Firemen's Association of the State of New York in Janu-
ary of 1939; furthermore, the Department joined the Orange County Mutual
Aid Program in November of 1957; and
WHEREAS, The work for the formation of the Pine Island Fire District
was undertaken in November of 1936, and in June of the following year,
during which time five Fire Commissioners were appointed; and
WHEREAS, The first fire apparatus and siren were purchased in December
of 1936, which was temporarily quartered in the blacksmith shop and was
later transferred to new quarters in the Pine Island School Bus Garage;
the Pulaski Fire Company turned over the fire apparatus to the Pine
Island Fire District in June of 1937; and
WHEREAS, In the spring of 1951, the Pulaski Fire Company acquired
their present property on Pine Island Turnpike; they turned the deed of
the property over to the Pine Island Fire District in the fall of the
same year, at which time the building of the firehouse was started; it
was completed in the spring of 1952, when the Pulaski Fire Company moved
into their new quarters; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Pine Island Fire Department in public service and fire protection is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 80 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 Pine Island 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 Pine Island Fire Department reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 80 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 80th Anniversary of the Pine Island Fire Depart-
ment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Pine Island Fire Department.