Senate Resolution No. 643

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

COMMENDING the Clifton Park Volunteer Fire
Department upon the occasion of celebrating its 80th
Anniversary on February 25, 2017

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body has the deepest pride and admiration
for the fire departments of New York State which perform the crucial
work of fire protection and fire prevention; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Clifton Park Volunteer Fire Department upon the occasion of
celebrating its 80th Anniversary at its Annual Inspection Dinner on
Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the Mohawk River Country Club and
Chateau, in Rexford, New York; and

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community
protection services in every locality of our State; for 80 years, the
Clifton Park Volunteer Fire Department has worked to provide the best
possible emergency service to the people of Clifton Park, New York, and
to minimize suffering, and loss of life and property incurred by fire,
accidents, disasters, and medical emergencies; and

WHEREAS, In 1937, a few local citizens of Clifton Park saw the need
to provide fire protection for their town; the small group held meetings
at their local school No. 21 and the Clifton Park Hotel; through many
fundraising efforts, the Clifton Park Volunteer Fire Department started
its foundation; and

WHEREAS, On October 17, 1935, the Clifton Park Volunteer Fire
Department bought an REO Speedwagon, a chemical truck; the apparatus was
housed in the cellar garage of Carl Osborne's home, at Route 9 and Old
Route 146, which also served as the first firehouse; and

WHEREAS, Vern Lake was the first Chief and served for seven years,
and Arthur "Pip" Gilbert held the position of the first President; in
1937, the Department acquired the old Clifton Park school building from
the Clifton Park Young Men's Social Club for $1.00, and the bell on the
schoolhouse became the alarm; and

WHEREAS, In that same year, the Firehouse was incorporated under the
laws of New York State; on April 9, 1940, the Department began serving
the newly formed fire district named Clifton Park-Halfmoon Fire District
No. 1; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1950s, the Ladies Auxiliary was formed to
provide support to the District and aid the volunteer firefighters in
many capacities; and

WHEREAS, The building of the first firehouse began in 1954, with
section No. 1 as three bays, a kitchen and a men's room; from 1961-1962,
Fortune Construction built section No. 2 as the meeting hall and the
Fireman's Hall; finally, in 1972, section No. 3 was built, which was

comprised of three truck bays, a new kitchen, a radio room, and a ladies
room; and

WHEREAS, From 1987 to 1989 the Clifton Park Volunteer Fire
Department discussed and drew up plans for a new firehouse; in the
Spring of 1990, the new firehouse was started and today, still proudly
serves the residents of Clifton Park/Halfmoon; and

WHEREAS, Currently, the Clifton Park Volunteer Fire Department
strives to be a proactive organization by providing their personnel with
modern equipment, facilities and technology, promoting activities which
encourage member training, community involvement, public relations, and
fire and prevention education as well as the encouragement of
camaraderie in the ranks and the inclusion of family-oriented
activities; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Clifton Park 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 80 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 Clifton Park 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, 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 fire departments 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 commend the Clifton Park Volunteer Fire Department upon the
occasion of celebrating its 80th Anniversary on February 25, 2017; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Clifton Park Volunteer Fire Department.