J 1217: Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2 Hartwick Seminary, to be celebrated on June 21, 2025

 Senate Resolution No. 1217 BY: Senator OBERACKER COMMEMORATING the 75th Anniversary of the Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2 - Hartwick Seminary, to be celebrated on June 21, 2025 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor fire departments that have provided unwavering service and dedication to the safety and well-being of their communities; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2 - Hartwick Seminary, to be celebrated on Saturday, June 21, 2025, and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 75 years of fire protection to the citizens of Hartwick Seminary, New York and its surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, The origins of the Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2 date back to 1948-1949, when concerned citizens from the hamlets of Hyde Park, New York and Hartwick Seminary began discussing the need for fire protection in their area; and WHEREAS, These early visionaries sought guidance and training by attending town board meetings and drills with Hartwick Fire Department Co. 1, culminating in the first official meeting of Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2 on June 20, 1950, attended by 14 community members including Kenneth Aney, Henry Aney, John Aney, Clark Miller, and others; and WHEREAS, In its early days, the Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2 met in members' homes-often those with the latest innovation, the television-holding meetings on Wednesday nights during breaks in the popular show "Wagon Train"; and WHEREAS, The Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2's humble beginnings included a trailer outfitted with basic firefighting equipment, pulled to fire scenes by local farmers using tractors, with volunteers summoned by the ringing of the Lutheran Church bell and phone calls; and WHEREAS, A 1940 Plymouth pickup truck served as the department's first motorized vehicle, followed by a 1954 Willys Jeep painted Fire Engine Red, funded by community dinners and volunteer efforts; and WHEREAS, In 1957, land was donated by Floyd Kitts and the C.J. Strong family, and a new fire hall was constructed in 1958 by members and local craftsmen, including the dedicated work of the Ryan Boys and Bob Bailey; and WHEREAS, A major fire in 1960, known locally as the Snood House fire, further galvanized the department's commitment to formal firefighting training and equipment improvements; and WHEREAS, Through the years, the department expanded its services and fleet, including the acquisition of an Emergency Rescue Van in 1973 and the construction of a fire hall addition in 1974, which members outfitted themselves to reduce costs; and WHEREAS, Today, Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2 operates a 1995 International tanker, 2000 Dodge Dakota brush truck, 2006 engine, and 2006 Chevy Tahoe, continuing its long tradition of service and readiness; and WHEREAS, The 75th Anniversary is not only a celebration of the department's proud past, but also a testament to the enduring spirit of community, service, and volunteerism that defines the residents of Hartwick Seminary and Hyde Park; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2 - Hartwick Seminary and to extend its deepest gratitude to its members, past and present, for their decades of dedicated service; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2 in honor of this historic milestone.