LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Great
River Fire Department of Great River, New York

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anni-
versary of the Great River Fire Department and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Great River, New York, and its surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Saturday,
February 27, 2016, at the 100th Annual Installation of Chiefs and Offi-
cers Dinner at The Snapper Inn in Oakdale, New York; 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 Great River 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, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Great River 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, The Great River Fire Department was established in 1916 on
River Road in Great River, New York; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Great River Fire Department is the
protection of lives and property of the citizens of Great River from the
adverse effects of fire, emergencies and hazardous situations on land or
water; and
WHEREAS, Chief William Vogel, Jr., and the Great River Fire Department
Firefighters serve with dedication, courage, innovation, responsiveness,
courtesy, caring and professionalism while performing their duties of
fire and emergency response, education and prevention; and
WHEREAS, In addition to serving and supporting their own district, the
Great River Fire Department has a mutual aid agreement with other Fire
and Rescue Departments; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Great River 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 Great River 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 Great River Fire
Department to be celebrated on Saturday, February 27, 2016; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chief William Vogel, Jr., Great River Fire Department.