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Resolution No. 3181-03
<br />A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
<br />INDIANA, HONORING THE PRESENT AND PAST MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH BEND FIRE
<br />DEPARTMENT ON THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
<br />THE SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT
<br />VbWgats, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, notes that on January
<br />29, 1853, an organizational meeting took place where Edmund Potts Taylor, who had served as
<br />Town Board President in 1837 and again in 1861, was elected to head Fire Engine Company # 1,
<br />which consisted of a fire engine and hose cart purchased for $1,000; and was staffed by volunteers
<br />who protected South Bend, which had been formally incorporated and plated in 1831; and
<br />UbZVt00, in 1865 the Town Board authorized a salary of $25.00 annually for the Chief to
<br />oversee and be responsible for directing all firefighting efforts and to supervise the 30 self- supplying
<br />municipal water cisterns located throughout South Bend; and
<br />"i1 bereao, by 1868, South Bend officials purchased a horse -drawn rotary steam engine and
<br />South Bend's fire protection was considered to be at a premium because insurance agents reported
<br />that "no city in the West was better secured against fire than South Bend ", citing the fine firefighting
<br />equipment, two (2) brick fire houses and the several stationary engines protecting the major
<br />manufacturing areas owned by the Studebaker Brothers, the Birsells and the Olivers; and
<br />"D11CVV09, in 1879 the first telephones were installed in the fire houses; in 1882 ten (10)
<br />fire alarm telegraph boxes were installed throughout the City which could be activated by keys; and
<br />in March of 1886 the Council required that only paid firefighters would be used in the City; and
<br />96tV09, the Council proudly recognizes that the South Bend Fire Department's rich &
<br />vibrant history reflects the courageous firefighters who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding
<br />life & property in the City of South Bend; which has grown to 248 sworn firefighters with a
<br />Fire /EMS budget of $16,826,618 whose duties include fire suppression, emergency medical
<br />services, public education, prevention services & special operations consisting of a Water Rescue
<br />Team, a Hazmat Team, a Tactical Rescue Team, & an Indiana River Rescue Team; who utilize 6,000
<br />fire hydrants, live in 12 fire stations and protect a community of 107,789 persons living in a forty
<br />square mile area, as well as protecting the millions of dollars worth of homes and businesses.
<br />now, tbere£orc bit it resolbeb by t(K Common uCountil of 04 tit`s of gouth
<br />verb, InhaTtal, 00 WOW:
<br />Section I. On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common
<br />Council hereby publicly commends all past and present dedicated and courageous members of the
<br />SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT on their 150th anniversary.
<br />Section II. The Common Council wishes to acknowledge the rich and proud history of the
<br />SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT, and would especially like to recognize that in 2002,
<br />members of the SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT responded to 2,983 calls for services,
<br />conducted 10,332 inspections and 311 investigations in the City of South Bend, Indiana.
<br />Section III. The Common Council acknowledges that the tireless efforts of Fire Chief Luther J.
<br />Taylor and his experienced staff have forged a positive working relationship with the hardworking
<br />and dedicated members of the South Bend Firefighters' Association Local No. 362 of the Interna-
<br />tional Association of Firefighters, AFLrCIO who represent the best and finest firefighters ever.
<br />Section IV. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the
<br />Conimqp Council and apprrr Val by the Mayor.
<br />James Aranowski, First District
<br />Ervin Kuspa, Six District
<br />y
<br />C `C' A _1
<br />Sean Coleman, At Large
<br />Charlotte D. Pfeifer, S��nd Dis t
<br />1�k
<br />Roland Kel
<br />Fifth District
<br />Attest:
<br />Loretta J. Duda, City Clerk
<br />PRESENTED y- -29 -63
<br />NOT APPROVED
<br />CDOPTED `-LX -0,3
<br />Al "Buddy" Kirsits, At
<br />r- vA /e
<br />Karen L. White, At Large
<br />Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney
<br />Steph J. Lu e, Mayor
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