Senate Resolution No. 2155

BY: Senator METZGER

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Warwick
Volunteer Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 150th
Anniversary of the Warwick Volunteer Fire Department and to honor its
past and present firefighting members for 150 years of fire protection
to the citizens of Warwick, New York, and its surrounding communities;
and

WHEREAS, This momentous occasion will be celebrated with a myriad of
events, beginning with its Bowling with the Braves event on Saturday,
January 26, 2019, and culminating with the Annual Christmas Tree
Lighting on Friday, November 29, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community
protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 150
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of the Warwick 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, The history of the Warwick Volunteer Fire Department goes
back to 1869, when the Excelsior Fire Engine Company No. 1 was organized
in the Village of Warwick; and

WHEREAS, After the installation of the municipal waterwork, the
company was reorganized as Excelsior Hose Company No. 1, which was
incorporated in 1888 and then moved to High Street; the Goodwill Hook
and Ladder Company was then established in 1890, and its former
firehouse was what is now Village Hall; and

WHEREAS, The Raymond Hose Company No. 2, formerly located on Howe
Street, was formed in 1896; the most recent addition to the Warwick
Volunteer Fire Department was Engine Company No. 3 on South Street
Extension which was established in 1967; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Warwick 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 150 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 Warwick 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 Warwick Volunteer Fire Department
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 150
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 150th Anniversary of the Warwick Volunteer Fire
Department; and be it further

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