Senate Resolution No. 846

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the
Sparrowbush Engine Company to be celebrated on May
6, 2017

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th
Anniversary of the Sparrowbush Engine Company and to honor its past and
present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the
citizens of Sparrowbush, New York and its surrounding communities; this
momentous occasion will be celebrated on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the
Erie Trackside Manor, Port Jervis, New York; 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 Sparrowbush Engine
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, Organized on April 24, 1917, the Sparrowbush Fire
Department held its first meeting in the old Town Hall, during which
time a charter was drawn up consisting of 53 names; the department was
known at this time as the Sparrowbush Fire Department of the Water
Supply District No.1, and covered a one mile radius from the firehouse;
and

WHEREAS, The first piece of firefighting equipment was a two wheeled
hand pulled chemical truck which held approximately 250 gallons of a
mixture of soda and water; a bottle of acid was attached to the top of
the tank and when this was dumped into the mixture the result was a
stream of water with enough pressure to fight fires; and

WHEREAS, Over the years the Sparrowbush Engine Company has added
both services and equipment to the company; in 1975, the department
expanded to provide first aid care for the district with members
becoming qualified as EMT's; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, the Sparrowbush Engine Company added a 2,500
gallon pumper-tanker to the fleet, as well as a set of Lucas Rescue
tools to be used for extricating patients from automobiles involved In
motor vehicle accidents; two years later the International Tanker was
replaced with a new GMC 1,800 gallon tanker which was refurbished in
2006, and now has a 1,800 gallon Polly body and tank; and

WHEREAS, With the increase of population on the north end of the
district in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the district felt the need
for a substation to be built; on October 27, 1990, the dedication of
Station 2 at 1027 State Route 42 to the community residents was held on
property that was donated to the district by George Dean; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Sparrowbush Engine Company has a total of 12
pieces of equipment strategically placed in the district; among this
equipment is an air boat and a jet ski for water rescue operations, and
a Kuboto that was recently donated to the company; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Sparrowbush Engine 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 Sparrowbush Engine 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 Sparrowbush Engine 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 Sparrowbush Engine
Company to be celebrated on May 6, 2017; and be it further

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