Senate Resolution No. 3157
BY: Senator BORRELLO
COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Bemus
Point Volunteer Fire Company, on February 27, 2020
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 100th
Anniversary of the Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Company, and to honor its
past and present firefighting members for 100 years of fire protection
to the citizens of the Village of Bemus Point and its surrounding
communities; and
WHEREAS, In a meeting held on February 27, 1920, the trustees of the
Village of Bemus Point, New York, receive a petition to organize a fire
company for the protection of lives and property in the Village; and
WHEREAS, The petition was granted, and the following officers were
nominated and approved by the Village board: Fire Chief AC Russ, 1st
Assistant Chief Clarence Hansen, 2nd Assistant Clark Ward, and Wardens
AG Barrett and LJ Skillman; and
WHEREAS, The 24 men who were appointed by the Village board as the
original members of the Bemus Point Fire Department included: Clarence
H. Hansen, A.C. Russ, Frank Skillman, Howard Bemus, R.A. Scofield,
Lester J. Skillman, Arthur Carpenter, Dewey Arnold, A.V. Johnson, Adolph
Hansen, Glenn Norton, Earl Thompson, Delbert Johnson, J.W. Smiley, Clark
L. Lord, Frank Putnam, J.H. Kellogg, Merl Sparling, Howard Reynolds,
Floyd Bowen, Howard Russ, Victor Norton, Ernest Russ, and Frank
Thompson; 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 Bemus Point
Volunteer Fire Company 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 Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Company 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 Bemus Point Volunteer Fire
Company 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 Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Company
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 Bemus Point Volunteer
Fire Company; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Steven Hayes, President, Bemus Point Volunteer Fire
Company.
