PRINTER'S NO. 773
No. 108 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, BRIGHTBILL, BOSCOLA, GORDNER, KITCHEN,
O'PAKE, THOMPSON, PILEGGI, WOZNIAK, PUNT, KASUNIC, PIPPY,
MELLOW, ROBBINS, RAFFERTY, PICCOLA, STOUT, EARLL,
TARTAGLIONE, WENGER, LAVALLE, FERLO, ARMSTRONG, COSTA,
ERICKSON, GREENLEAF, MUSTO, WAUGH, CONTI, LEMMOND,
C. WILLIAMS, M. WHITE, SCARNATI, D. WHITE AND STACK,
MAY 2, 2005
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 2, 2005
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing and honoring firefighters throughout this
2 Commonwealth for their bravery, dedication and heroism and
3 designating May 4, 2005, as "Firefighters' Day" in
4 Pennsylvania.
5 WHEREAS, In 1736 Benjamin Franklin founded the first
6 volunteer fire company, Union Fire Company, in Philadelphia,
7 making Pennsylvania the birthplace of the volunteer fire service
8 in North America; and
9 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has approximately 2,400 fire companies;
10 and
11 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has the largest number of fire
12 departments in the nation and is a national leader in the number
13 of career and paid personnel providing emergency services; and
14 WHEREAS, In this Commonwealth, 95% of fire companies are
15 staffed by volunteers, totaling about 78,000 volunteers, the
16 largest number of volunteer firefighters in the nation; and
1 WHEREAS, On average, ten Pennsylvania firefighters die in the
2 line of duty every year; and
3 WHEREAS, Firefighters perform selfless tasks quietly and
4 often without the recognition they deserve, risking their lives
5 daily to protect the lives and property of the citizens of this
6 Commonwealth; and
7 WHEREAS, Changes in society and in the environment have
8 increased the dangers these individuals face daily in the
9 performance of their duties as protectors of the citizens and
10 property of this Commonwealth; and
11 WHEREAS, The increased threat of terrorism, illicit drug labs
12 and hazardous material incidents have placed firefighters in
13 greater danger than ever before in the history of firefighting;
14 and
15 WHEREAS, Although Pennsylvania has always depended heavily on
16 its firefighters, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,
17 and the heightened awareness of future threats has only
18 increased their important role as first responders; and
19 WHEREAS, The time that firefighters devote to protecting the
20 lives and property of the citizens of this Commonwealth
21 represents time taken away from their family members; therefore
22 be it
23 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize and honor the bravery and
24 sacrifice of firefighters in this Commonwealth, extend thanks
25 for their service and, on the occasion of "International
26 Firefighters Day," designate May 4, 2005, as "Firefighters' Day"
27 in Pennsylvania; and be it further
28 RESOLVED, That on this day all firefighters in this
29 Commonwealth be honored at the Capitol as a sign of gratitude
30 for their dedication, service and sacrifice, including the
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1 giving of their lives, in order to protect the lives and
2 property of the citizens of this Commonwealth.
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