HomeMy WebLinkAboutHonoring the Present and Past Members of the South Bend Fire Department on the 150th Anniversary of the Establishment of South Bend Fire DepartmentAttest:
RESOLUTION
3181 -03
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
April 28, 2003
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
April 29, 2003
Approved and signed by me
April 29,
City Clerk
President of Common Council
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City Clerk
M.
Resolution No. 3181-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA, HONORING THE PRESENT AND PAST MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH BEND FIRE
DEPARTMENT ON THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
THE SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT
VbWgats, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, notes that on January
29, 1853, an organizational meeting took place where Edmund Potts Taylor, who had served as
Town Board President in 1837 and again in 1861, was elected to head Fire Engine Company # 1,
which consisted of a fire engine and hose cart purchased for $1,000; and was staffed by volunteers
who protected South Bend, which had been formally incorporated and plated in 1831; and
UbZVt00, in 1865 the Town Board authorized a salary of $25.00 annually for the Chief to
oversee and be responsible for directing all firefighting efforts and to supervise the 30 self- supplying
municipal water cisterns located throughout South Bend; and
"i1 bereao, by 1868, South Bend officials purchased a horse -drawn rotary steam engine and
South Bend's fire protection was considered to be at a premium because insurance agents reported
that "no city in the West was better secured against fire than South Bend ", citing the fine firefighting
equipment, two (2) brick fire houses and the several stationary engines protecting the major
manufacturing areas owned by the Studebaker Brothers, the Birsells and the Olivers; and
"D11CVV09, in 1879 the first telephones were installed in the fire houses; in 1882 ten (10)
fire alarm telegraph boxes were installed throughout the City which could be activated by keys; and
in March of 1886 the Council required that only paid firefighters would be used in the City; and
96tV09, the Council proudly recognizes that the South Bend Fire Department's rich &
vibrant history reflects the courageous firefighters who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding
life & property in the City of South Bend; which has grown to 248 sworn firefighters with a
Fire /EMS budget of $16,826,618 whose duties include fire suppression, emergency medical
services, public education, prevention services & special operations consisting of a Water Rescue
Team, a Hazmat Team, a Tactical Rescue Team, & an Indiana River Rescue Team; who utilize 6,000
fire hydrants, live in 12 fire stations and protect a community of 107,789 persons living in a forty
square mile area, as well as protecting the millions of dollars worth of homes and businesses.
now, tbere£orc bit it resolbeb by t(K Common uCountil of 04 tit`s of gouth
verb, InhaTtal, 00 WOW:
Section I. On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common
Council hereby publicly commends all past and present dedicated and courageous members of the
SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT on their 150th anniversary.
Section II. The Common Council wishes to acknowledge the rich and proud history of the
SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT, and would especially like to recognize that in 2002,
members of the SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT responded to 2,983 calls for services,
conducted 10,332 inspections and 311 investigations in the City of South Bend, Indiana.
Section III. The Common Council acknowledges that the tireless efforts of Fire Chief Luther J.
Taylor and his experienced staff have forged a positive working relationship with the hardworking
and dedicated members of the South Bend Firefighters' Association Local No. 362 of the Interna-
tional Association of Firefighters, AFLrCIO who represent the best and finest firefighters ever.
Section IV. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the
Conimqp Council and apprrr Val by the Mayor.
James Aranowski, First District
Ervin Kuspa, Six District
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C `C' A _1
Sean Coleman, At Large
Charlotte D. Pfeifer, S��nd Dis t
1�k
Roland Kel
Fifth District
Attest:
Loretta J. Duda, City Clerk
PRESENTED y- -29 -63
NOT APPROVED
CDOPTED `-LX -0,3
Al "Buddy" Kirsits, At
r- vA /e
Karen L. White, At Large
Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney
Steph J. Lu e, Mayor