Senate Resolution No. 756

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the
Spencertown Fire Company, Inc.

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th
Anniversary of the Spencertown Fire Company and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Spencertown, 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 100
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Spencertown 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, Established in 1917, the Spencertown Fire Company, Inc.
(SFC) is located just outside the hamlet of Spencertown, which is part
of the Town of Austerlitz in New York State; it is one of two fire
companies which provide fire protection for the Austerlitz Fire
District; and

WHEREAS, Along with the Austerlitz Fire Company located six miles to
the east, the SFC serves approximately 1,650 residents who reside in the
Town of Austerlitz, and that part of the Town of Hillsdale which is in
the Green River Fire District; within the fire district there are two
large campgrounds and two highly traveled highways running its length,
and several thousand acres of New York State forest land open to the
public for outdoor activities; and

WHEREAS, The SFC is comprised of 35 members, two thirds of which are
active firefighters; in addition to fire protection, the highly skilled
firefighters are trained in CPR and AED use; and

WHEREAS, The SFC also has an active Ladies Auxiliary; these
remarkable women work tirelessly to provide support to their fire
department and to aid their volunteer firefighters in many capacities;
and

WHEREAS, The current fire station, completed in 2001, was built on
five acres of land, and includes four truck bays, a large kitchen,
handicapped lift, and meeting/conference room, as well as a small social
room maintained with funds left by a deceased company member; and

WHEREAS, Certified as a Red Cross Shelter, the Spencertown Fire
Station houses one 4WD Engine, one 2,000 gallon Tanker, one 4WD Rescue
Truck and one 4WD Brush Truck; and

WHEREAS, Since 1985, proceeds from the Fire Company's August Beef
BBQ go toward a Fred Oleynek Memorial Scholarship which is awarded every
year to a graduating college bound young adult who resides in the SFC
service area; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Spencertown Fire Company in public service and fire protection is

one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 100
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 Spencertown Fire 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, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated
by individual firefighters, the Spencertown Fire Company reflects the
history and development of firefighting over the past 100 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 100th Anniversary of the Spencertown Fire
Company, Inc.; and be it further

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