K 653: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Stittville Volunteer Fire Department

 Assembly Resolution No. 653 BY: M. of A. Buttenschon COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Stittville Volunteer Fire Department WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those outstanding volunteer fire departments within the State of New York whose members have exhibited great dedication, courage, and commitment in providing vital emergency services to their communities; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Stittville Volunteer Fire Department, to be observed with appropriate recognition and community celebration; and WHEREAS, The hamlet of Stittville, New York, faced a devastating catastrophe when a fire destroyed Main Street and most of its business district; in response, on September 22, 1925, a fire district was formally established to provide reliable fire protection to the area; and WHEREAS, During this time, G. Ellis was appointed as the first foreman (chief), and F.H. Rupert was named assistant foreman; the department's initial apparatus included two 40-gallon Foamite engines and 100 feet of hose-marking the humble beginnings of a now-century-old tradition of service; and WHEREAS, For 100 years, the courageous men and women of the Stittville Volunteer Fire Department have served with honor, answering calls for help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; their swift response and skilled action during fires, medical emergencies, and countless other crises have earned them the admiration and gratitude of the entire community; and WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Chief William Sutherland and President Ray Sherman, the department continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence; their proactive approach to integrating advanced equipment and ongoing training ensures the department remains at the forefront of modern emergency response; and WHEREAS, The Stittville Volunteer Fire Department has not only grown in its operational capacity, but also stands as a living reflection of the evolution of the fire and EMS services throughout New York State over the last century; and WHEREAS, The department's success is rooted in the selflessness of its members-dedicated volunteers who leave the safety of their own homes to aid their neighbors, often in moments of great peril; these brave individuals exemplify the very best of public service and community spirit; 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; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Stittville Volunteer Fire Department, recognizing a century of extraordinary public service, devotion, and heroism; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Stittville Volunteer Fire Department.