Assembly Resolution No. 743

BY: M. of A. Conrad

COMMEMORATING the 140th Anniversary of the
Delaware Hose Company No. 2 of Tonawanda, New York

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 140th
Anniversary of the Delaware Hose Company No. 2, and to honor its past
and present firefighting members for 14 decades of fire protection to
the citizens of Tonawanda 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 140
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of Delaware Hose Company
No. 2 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 on June 2, 1882, Delaware Hose Company No. 2
was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York on March 2,
1884, and has continued operating under the name ever since; and

WHEREAS, The former site at 21 Delaware Street, occupied by the
Delaware Hose House, was first used by the old Citizen's Hand Hose
Company, to which some of the present members of the present day
Delaware Hose Company belonged; they were proudly proclaimed in the
Village of Tonawanda, and were popularly known as "The Citizen's Hose
Boys" during this time; and

WHEREAS, For about a year, they rushed to all the fires with their
old style hand pumper, which required the effort of 50 to 60 brawny men
to adequately supply two lines of hose with water; the hose for the hand
pumper was hurried to fires by the Bliss Hose Company, which was also
made up of many who became members of the Delaware Hose Company; and

WHEREAS, In 1882, the Bliss Hose Company decided to change its name,
and after receiving permission from the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Tonawanda, the name was changed to the Delaware Hose Company, which
was formally organized on June 2nd of that year with 13 charter members;
and

WHEREAS, Over the course of its first 50 years, the countless
parades, conventions, reunions, outings and other special social
functions in which members of this company have participated, or which
the company has held, have always marked the Delaware Company as one of
the best organizations of its kind, and its individual members the
keenest exponents of a good time when fun was the order of the day; and

WHEREAS, Frequently attending parades during the 1920s and 1930s,
the Company won many trophies for the most men in line and best
appearing; they also once appeared in Dunnville, Ontario with their new
yellow pumper at the invitation of the Canadian authorities, where they
were also awarded a trophy; and

WHEREAS, The efforts of the Delaware Hose Company during World War I
were commendable as they offered firefighting lessons as they pertained
to war and offered valuable first-aid education; and


WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Delaware Hose Company No. 2 in public service and fire protection is
one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 140
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 Delaware Hose Company No. 2 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, Furthermore, no member of the Delaware Hose Company has
ever failed to show their willingness to take on the most hazardous
tasks in the line of duty; the response of the members of this company
has always been prompt and diligent; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express enough 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
commemorate the 140th Anniversary of the Delaware Hose Company No. 2 of
Tonawanda, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Delaware Hose Company No. 2.