Senate Resolution No. 5628

BY: Senator SEWARD

COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the
Esperance Volunteer Fire Department to be celebrated
on July 14, 2018

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 200th
Anniversary of the Esperance Volunteer Fire Department and to honor its
past and present firefighting members for 200 years of fire protection
to the citizens of Esperance, New York and its surrounding communities;
and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated with a myriad
of events located throughout the Village of Esperance on Saturday, July
14, 2018; some of the events include a breakfast at the Methodist
Church, concerts by the Esperance Band and the Depot Lane Singers, an
opening ceremony, a parade with awards, a cake, firematics, music, and
fireworks; and

WHEREAS, In addition, residents of Esperance and Schoharie County
can peruse craft and food vendors throughout the day; and

WHEREAS, Even though the Village of Esperance was officially
incorporated on April 21, 1818, the freeholders of Esperance acquired
Deluge No. 1, as a used 18th Century Tub Engine from Schenectady, New
York, in 1815; and

WHEREAS, The Deluge is now located at the Old Stone Fort Museum in
Schoharie, New York, after serving the residents of Esperance for 60
years; it is known as the oldest fire engine in America, having been
originally built by Richard Newsham for New York City in 1731; it was
sold to the City of Schenectady in 1797; and

WHEREAS, The first firehouse was purchased from the De La Vergne
family in 1837; the old hat factory building was replaced in 1938, and
once again ten years later when the department bought the Van Vechten
Horse Farm on Church Street; this building is still in use today; and

WHEREAS, In the 1950s, the rescue squad was one of the first in
Schoharie County to be established with a used ambulance donated by the
South Schenectady Department; and

WHEREAS, The Esperance Volunteer Fire Department recently completed
its new engine house, just in time for the bicentennial celebration; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Esperance Volunteer Fire Department is led by
Chief Matt Deffer, President James Diamond, Treasurer Royce Gage, and
Secretary Michelle Sparacin; and

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community
protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 200
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Esperance
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, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Esperance 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 200 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 Esperance 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 Esperance Volunteer Fire Department
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 200
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 200th Anniversary of the Esperance Volunteer
Fire Department to be celebrated on July 14, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Matt Deffer, chief, Esperance Volunteer Fire Department.