J 256: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Mastic Fire Department to be celebrated on April 12, 2025

 Senate Resolution No. 256 BY: Senator MURRAY COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Mastic Fire Department to be celebrated on April 12, 2025 WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Mastic Fire Department, and to honor its past and present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection to the citizens of Mastic, New York, and its surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, The Mastic Fire Department started as the Mastic Chemical Company and was formed by 52 men originally from Mastic and Moriches, New York; Joseph Titmus was elected Chairman and numerous meetings were held before it was decided to establish separate units in each of the hamlets; and WHEREAS, The charter for the Mastic Chemical Company No. 1 was obtained April 29, 1925, and its first officers included Chief Thomas-Eaton Jones, Foreman Jud Barry, Assistant Foreman B.G. Hurley, Secretary Thomas Doyle, Assistant Secretary Charles Trywusch, Treasurer A.H. Tebbins, Directors Theodore Whitehead, B.G. Hurley and Fred Squires, and Finance John Kitson; and WHEREAS, In 1925, the Brooklyn Citizen Real Estate Company donated two lots in Section One, Mastic Park; this parcel was the site of the first firehouse which was built by members; materials were purchased and financed by Chapmans Lumber Yard in East Moriches; in the latter part of 1926, construction for a meeting hall was started to add to the firehouse and completed in 1930; additional trucks were added as well; and WHEREAS, In 1927, the Mastic Fire District was formed, and all properties of the Mastic Chemical Company were turned over to the Fire District; on May 31, 1935, the Mastic Fire Department was destroyed by a fire; the cause was a faulty stove; the trucks were saved but the records and trophies were destroyed; on September 11, 1935, Thomas Eaton-Jones was awarded a contract to rebuild the firehouse; and WHEREAS, As the years went on, trucks were added to keep the fleet updated, additions to the building were completed, a new firehouse built, the field opposite the firehouse was purchased, and the Drill Team known as the "Whistlers" was formed; and WHEREAS, The first Scuba Team was formed in 1979, a substation on the North Service Road of Sunrise Highway was dedicated, a Junior Fire Department was formed in 1982, two drive through bays plus a new radio and generator room were added to Headquarters in 1988, the first Fire Police Van was placed in service in 1992, the first Scuba Team truck was placed in service in 1996, and the Mastic Memorial Monument on Montauk Highway was rebuilt after being destroyed by motorists in 1999; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, these brave members responded to 9/11 Ground Zero with an Aerial Tower and Heavy Rescue Unit; and WHEREAS, Today, the Mastic Fire Department continues to stay up to date with their training and equipment to assist the community as best as possible when they are needed; this esteemed fire department, like others on Long Island, consists of volunteers who are looking to help their community; current officers are as follows: Chief, Steven Januszkiewicz; Assistant Chief, Rudy M. Sunderman; Captain, Tarren Kearns; 1st Lieutenant, Ian Arthur; 2nd Lieutenants Ryan Peter, Michael R. Malone, and Kevin Peter; Mastic Fire Department: Chairman, Rudy Sunderman Sr.; Vice Chairman, Michael Malone; Commissioners, Pat Greene, Dan Haase and Judy Sunderman Jr.; Secretary, Rudy Sunderman Jr.; Treasurer, Kaitlin Hennessy; Public Information Officer, Mike Guarino; Administrative Officers: President, Dave Haase; Vice President, Anthony Bender Jr.; Recording Secretary, John Metzger; Corresponding Secretary, Chris Gross; Treasurer, Frank Scibilia; Assistant Chaplain, Chris Flaherty; Directors, Robert Bautista, Howard Beck, Gary Lombardo, Terry Scaffaro and Anthony Sunderman; and Public Information Officer, Michael Guarino; Ladies Auxiliary: President, Kim Libby; Vice President, Laura Sunderman; Recording Secretary, Kelsey VanLoan; Corresponding Secretary, Kelly Flaherty; Financial Secretary, Linda Stalker; Treasurer, Judy Cosgrove; and Trustees, Carol Bender, Noreen Bautista and Linda Benson; 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 Mastic 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, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of the Mastic Fire Department 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 Mastic 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 Mastic Fire Department 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 Mastic Fire Department to be celebrated on April 12, 2025; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the aforementioned members of the Mastic Fire Department.