Senate Resolution No. 386

BY: Senator YOUNG

HONORING Delos and Donna Stage for a combined 130
years of dedicated service to the Dewittville
Volunteer Fire Department

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor fire departments and their members who have exhibited great
dedication, courage and selflessness in protecting their neighbors from
fire and other disasters in this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout
the Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the
arduous field of fire protection and prevention; and

WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great State's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Delos and Donna Stage for a combined 130 years of dedicated service to
the Dewittville Volunteer Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel not
only provide the critical service of fire protection and medical care,
but also engage in other activities of great benefit and importance to
the communities they serve; and

WHEREAS, Delos and Donna Stage's exceptional commitment to the
Dewittville Volunteer Fire Department and the community is one deserving
of high praise, congratulations, and recognition; and

WHEREAS, Delos Stage was automatically enlisted in the United States
Army, serving stateside for two years due to a serious injury that
prevented him from going overseas; before serving in the military, he
followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Dewittville Volunteer
Fire Department in 1946, and has remained active ever since; and

WHEREAS, Donna Stage has a tremendous 59 years with the Dewittville
Volunteer Fire Department and the Ladies Auxiliary; when she decided to
join the ranks, she was already a Registered Nurse, which instilled in
her a passion to help others and lend a hand to her community; and

WHEREAS, The Dewittville Volunteer Fire Department was established
around 1935, when 80 residents met in the one-room schoolhouse in
Dewittville to discuss the necessity of fire service and a Ladies
Auxiliary; the Department was chartered three years later; and

WHEREAS, During the early days, the first piece of equipment was a
horse drawn pump unit, and because of limited space, the unit was stored
in a member's garage and the horse in another member's garage; when
Dewittville Central School merged with Mayville, the schoolhouse was
sold for one dollar to the Department, and was then converted into a
fire hall; and


WHEREAS, Delos Stage has assisted the Department in several ways
over the years, serving as Department Secretary since 1980, and as an
Assistant Fire Chief; he also completed a lot of work with the Fire
Police whose top responsibilities include helping with traffic control
and assisting firefighters at the scene of an emergency; and

WHEREAS, Delos and Donna Stage were named the 2010 Firefighters of
the Year by the Department; in September of 2016, Delos received a
Certificate of Recognition from the Chautauqua County Office of
Emergency Services for seven decades of volunteer work; and

WHEREAS, Delos and Donna Stage exemplify all of the values of good
community leaders and have led by example for future generations; they
have both witnessed the early days of the Dewittville Volunteer Fire
Department and have, over the years, been a part of its expansion with
advanced equipment and new vehicles; today, they both remain active
members which further demonstrates a true testament to their character
and love for their community; and

WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help
others, and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with
family and friends to carry out the vital mission of volunteer fire
departments; and

WHEREAS, Observing that special recognition should be given to those
who work so assiduously for the betterment of their communities, and
that they should be acknowledged publicly for their heroic good works as
volunteer firefighters in this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Delos and Donna Stage for a combined 130 years of outstanding
service to the Dewittville Volunteer Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Delos and Donna Stage.