Senate Resolution No. 4000

BY: Senator RANZENHOFER

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the
Swormville Fire Company on June 2, 2018

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th
Anniversary of the Swormville Fire Company and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Amherst and Clarence, New York, and the surrounding
communities; and

WHEREAS, This momentous milestone will be feted at a Centennial
Celebration Cocktail Party on Saturday, June 2, 2018; and

WHEREAS, The Swormville Fire Company was established on January 25,
1918, in the hamlet of Swormville, New York; this volunteer company has
been proudly serving the residents of the towns of both Amherst and
Clarence ever since; and

WHEREAS, For a century, the dedicated firefighters of the Swormville
Fire Company have pledged to provide fire protection, protect life and
property, and render services in case of accidents, calamities and other
emergencies in connection with which the services of firefighters may be
required, to the territory in which operations of the Company
principally conducted and to the territory adjacent thereto, including
any request for assistance under the mutual aid system; and

WHEREAS, The Swormville Fire Company also strives to promote love
for our great country, good citizenship, civic virtue and self-sacrifice
and to perpetuate the spirit which from the earliest days has actuated
volunteer firefighters in the rendition of services of the highest type
in the protection of life and property, without the hope of fee or
awards; and

WHEREAS, On January 22, 1918, 22 men gathered at the home of William
Smith and formed the Swormville Fire Company; with the help of the
community, William led fundraising efforts to purchase the first fire
hall; William would go on to hold the title of Chief for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, In that same year, the Swormville Fire Company purchased a
1918 Ford touring car and converted it into a chemical tank truck; and

WHEREAS, In early March of 1918, a committee was formed to locate a
suitable location to build a fire hall; once again the community came
together to raise funds for the property located on the west side of
Transit Road next to the William Smith Hotel; and

WHEREAS, The Swormville Fire Company held their first marching drill
in August of 1918; today, the firefighters continue the long-standing
traditions of marching in local parades; and

WHEREAS, In late 1919, the firehouse was built and the cornerstone
was laid; the new building quickly became the center of activity in the
small farming hamlet of Swormville; the ladies auxiliary was formed in

1920, and held regular card parties and dances to raise funds to
purchase trucks and other fire equipment; and

WHEREAS, Within the next few years, two pumpers were purchased, a
cistern was built at St. Mary's Church to insure an adequate water
supply, and a siren was installed on the fire hall; and

WHEREAS, With continued growth, the Swormville Fire Company decided
to expand to a larger facility, which unfortunately, burned to the
ground; a new fire hall was built, and is still in use today; and

WHEREAS, In the 1930s, the Swormville Fire Company joined the
Amherst Fire Council Bowling League, formed a first aid team,
established a Red Cross First Aid Station, and was recognized as an
exempt organization; and

WHEREAS, During World War II, firefighters were asked to operate the
Civil Defense aircraft lookout tower on the top of the Graf home just
north of the fire hall; and

WHEREAS, In 1949, the Swormville Fire Company hosted its first
community Christmas Party; in February of 1955, the inaugural annual
installation banquet was held, and to this day, it continues to be the
highlight of the year for the members; and

WHEREAS, By the late 1950s, the Company increased its services by
purchasing a first aid truck; during the next decade, the Swormville
Fire Company began to operate weekly bingo games; and

WHEREAS, In the 1960s, The Swormville Fire Company organized a
competitive softball league, and developed a recreational golf league;
in 1991, firemen competed in volleyball, euchre, and horseshoes on
Brotherhood Day; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its storied history, the Swormville Fire Company
has continually been at the forefront of change; in 1973, 16 and 17
year-olds were accepted as members, and today, women are an integral
part of the Company; and

WHEREAS, Education and training is an important component of good
fire service; the Swormville Fire Company holds bimonthly drills which
focus on firematic and emergency medical training, and presents many
state courses covering a variety of topics; every year, many members
successfully complete advanced training courses at the New York State
Fire Academy located in Montour Falls, New York; and

WHEREAS, In addition, members have participated in fire police
training classes, and consequently, have received their badges from the
Town of Amherst; 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 Swormville Fire
Company have valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and
have won the praise and respect of the community which they serve; 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 Swormville Fire Company
to be celebrated on June 2, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Swormville Fire Company.