Senate Resolution No. 5014

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMEMORATING the 145th Anniversary of the Dikeman
Engine & Hose Company

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 145th
Anniversary of the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company and to honor its past
and present firefighting members for 145 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Goshen, 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 145
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Dikeman Engine &
Hose 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, The Dikeman Engine & Hose Company is one of three
all-volunteer fire companies that make up the Goshen Fire Department
located in Orange County, New York; jointly, the firefighters provide
firematic and rescue services to the 12,000 residents of the Goshen Fire
District; and

WHEREAS, The Dikeman Engine & Hose Company was named in honor of one
its founders, Edwin Dikeman, who was a prominent citizen and top
firefighter in Goshen during the mid-1800s; he was named an honorary
member of the Excelsior Hose Company of Port Jervis, and he represented
the Dikeman Hose Company at a firematic convention held in Kingston, New
York, in 1882; and

WHEREAS, The Dikeman Engine & Hose Company was officially
established on September 11, 1873, at a meeting with the village
trustees; the following night, founding fathers George Smith, William H.
Wood, John T. LaRoe, E.T. Sparks, Edward Dalton, G.P. Crans, and Jerry
Baldwin met in a room over Dikeman's Drug Store on West Main Street to
discuss the new Company and select officers; and

WHEREAS, William H. Wood was named Foreman, E.T. Sparks became the
Assistant Foreman, G.P. Crans was chosen as Secretary, and John T. LaRoe
became Treasurer; six days later, another meeting convened and the
Company was named Dikeman Hose Company No. 3; at this time, Abram
Fuller, Charles Wells, James McManus, H.S. Wilcox, and William Dayton
were elected members of the Company; and

WHEREAS, Dikeman Hose Company No. 3 answered their first call in
April of 1874 when the alarm sounded and called them to a fire in the
West Main Street building occupied by Hoyt's Dry Goods Store; and

WHEREAS, The Company stored their equipment at a Greenwich Avenue
blacksmith shop; after three moves, they finally moved to their current
location at 10 Dikeman Drive in 1885; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its storied history, several dedicated
firefighters made many lasting contributions to the Company; some of
these meritorious leaders include: Charles E. Wright, who served as

Foreman for 11 years and held the position of President; The Honorable
J.B. Sweezey was President for many years; and James Lundy who held many
offices within the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company; and

WHEREAS, From 1918-1922, Dikeman firefighter Edward J. Farrell
served as the Goshen Fire Department's first Chief; 11 years later,
another Dikeman firefighter, Joseph C. Donovan, was elected to the
esteemed position; and

WHEREAS, After almost three decades, Alfred R. Turi was chosen as
Chief of the Department in 1966; in addition to being a great leader, he
promoted fire training and was a student of fire science and tactics; he
was also instrumental in organizing the Goshen Fire District as it is
known today and served as Orange County Fire Coordinator in the years
following his term as Chief; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company in public service and fire protection
is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 145
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 Dikeman Engine & Hose Company
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, 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 145th Anniversary of the Dikeman Engine & Hose
Company; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company.