LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department and to honor its past
and present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Norfolk, New York, and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department;
and
WHEREAS, The members of the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department and the
entire community of Norfolk will come together to celebrate this auspi-
cious occasion with a series of events throughout 2016; the first activ-
ity will be an inaugural Mud Run on July 16, 2016, at the Fireman's
Field in downtown Norfolk; and
WHEREAS, The Mud Run is a 5K obstacle course for all ages which
features more than a dozen obstacles and pits including some with a
firefighter theme; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 100 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Norfolk Volunteer 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 March 31, 1915, a fire in downtown Norfolk claimed four
lives and destroyed much of the business district; one year later, the
Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department was founded; and
WHEREAS, When the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department was formed, it had
an active membership of 40 members, a single dry main firefighting
system and it operated from a single station located on Furnace Street;
and
WHEREAS, Today, the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department stands at 75
active members, operates eight major pieces of apparatus and operates
out of three stations with additional stations in Raymondville and on
State Route 420; and
WHEREAS, In March of 1918, fire destroyed the station located on
Furnace Street; fire also destroyed the station located on State Route
420 in November of 1996; both were rebuilt; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department in public service and fire
protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year,
for 100 years, whenever the alarm sounded, these noble volunteers left
their homes and went to the aid of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Chief Richard Bump,
the brave firefighters of the Norfolk Volunteer 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 Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department reflects
the history and development of firefighting over the past 100 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 100th Anniversary of the Norfolk Volunteer Fire
Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Richard Bump, Chief, Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department.