Senate Resolution No. 3133

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING the Massena Rescue Squad upon the
occasion of celebrating its 60th Anniversary of
community service on April 29, 2020

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the concerned and caring work of citizens who voluntarily assist
in safeguarding the safety and welfare of their neighbors and community;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Massena Rescue Squad upon the occasion of celebrating its
60th Anniversary of community service on Wednesday, April 29, 2020; and

WHEREAS, The Massena Volunteer Emergency Unit, commonly known as the
Massena Rescue Squad, was formed on April 29, 1960, after the tragic
drowning of two local Massena boys; a group of community members got
together and agreed they needed to do something; after some discussion,
they set up their first meeting and began the operation; and

WHEREAS, The Massena Rescue Squad's first home on Alcoa Bridge Road
was built with donations and hard work from many devoted volunteers; it
started as a two-bay building, and then two more bays were added to the
front; and

WHEREAS, It was very tight in the bays; the ambulances had inches to
spare when they were pulling out of the building; and

WHEREAS, Support for the Massena Rescue Squad continued to grow over
the years, and so did its membership; the group purchased its first
fleet of emergency vehicles in 1976; and

WHEREAS, As the Massena Rescue Squad continued to grow, its former
building became too small; in April of 2006, the members decided to say
good-bye to the building that had served them well for 45 years and
moved into its present location at 341 East Orvis Street; and

WHEREAS, When the Massena Rescue Squad started, it was basically
first aid and CPR; today, due to the volunteers and their equipment
changing drastically over the years, it is more like an emergency room
on wheels; and

WHEREAS, Currently, the Massena Rescue Squad is owned by the Town of
Massena and consists of 40 volunteer members; in addition, there are
some paid staff on during the day; with the call volume extremely high,
the Squad responds to approximately 3,000 calls a year; and

WHEREAS, Rescue squad members are an important part of the safety
net of America's healthcare system; they provide lifesaving care to
those in need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and

WHEREAS, Access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the
survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or
injury; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude
to those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life
is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility their own;
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 rescue squads of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Massena Rescue Squad upon the occasion of celebrating its
60th Anniversary of community service on April 29, 2020; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Massena Rescue Squad.