PRINTER'S NO. 984
No. 116 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, KASUNIC, FERLO, C. WILLIAMS, COSTA,
BRUBAKER, FONTANA, BOSCOLA, ARMSTRONG, PUNT, ERICKSON, MUSTO,
GREENLEAF, TOMLINSON, TARTAGLIONE, FUMO, FOLMER, PIPPY,
WAUGH, MELLOW, EARLL, O'PAKE, LOGAN, ROBBINS, REGOLA,
KITCHEN, D. WHITE, BROWNE, STACK, WOZNIAK, LAVALLE, SCARNATI,
WONDERLING AND PILEGGI, MAY 7, 2007
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 7, 2007
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing and honoring firefighters throughout this
2 Commonwealth for their bravery, dedication and heroism and
3 designating May 4, 2007, 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
17 WHEREAS, On average, ten Pennsylvania firefighters die in the
1 line of duty every year; and
2 WHEREAS, Firefighters perform selfless tasks quietly and
3 often without the recognition they deserve, risking their lives
4 daily to protect the lives and property of the citizens of this
5 Commonwealth; and
6 WHEREAS, Changes in society and in the environment have
7 increased the dangers these individuals face daily in the
8 performance of their duties as protectors of the citizens and
9 property of this Commonwealth; and
10 WHEREAS, The increased threat of terrorism, illicit drug labs
11 and hazardous material incidents have placed firefighters in
12 greater danger than ever before in the history of firefighting;
13 and
14 WHEREAS, Although Pennsylvania has always depended heavily on
15 its firefighters, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,
16 and the heightened awareness of future threats has only
17 increased their important role as first responders; and
18 WHEREAS, The time that firefighters devote to protecting the
19 lives and property of the citizens of this Commonwealth
20 represents time taken away from their family members; therefore
21 be it
22 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize and honor the bravery and
23 sacrifice of firefighters in this Commonwealth, extend thanks
24 for their service and, on the occasion of "International
25 Firefighters Day," designate May 4, 2007, as "Firefighters' Day"
26 in Pennsylvania; and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That on this day all firefighters in this
28 Commonwealth be honored at the Capitol as a sign of gratitude
29 for their dedication, service and sacrifice, including the
30 giving of their lives, in order to protect the lives and
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1 property of the citizens of this Commonwealth.
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