RECOGNIZING APRIL 8, 2014, AS “VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE

On Tuesday, April 8th, the 147th Delaware General Assembly tendered and unanimously adopted House Concurrent Resolution Number 45 recognizing April 8, 2014 as “Volunteer Firefighter Day in the State of Delaware.'

The resolution was adopted in the presence of approximately 200 volunteer fire company personnel with presentation of proclamations from the Honorable Governor Jack Markell at Legislative Hall.

The Resolution reads….

147th General Assembly House Concurrent Resolution Number 45

WHEREAS, volunteer firefighters have been imbedded in the fabric of our country for centuries, with the first volunteer fire company organized in Delaware in 1775; and

WHEREAS, today, there are over 6,000 members in 60 volunteer fire companies operating 81 fire stations within Delaware; and

WHEREAS, these companies provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to over 800,000 Delawareans; and

WHEREAS, the men and women who make up Delaware's highly trained and well equipped volunteer first responders answered more than 130,000 calls for assistance last year; and

WHEREAS, every eight minutes a Delaware volunter fire company units is responding to someone's emergency, and these volunteers devote hours in training, preparing, and running the business of their companies;

WHEREAS, the Delaware volunteer fire companies are a true melting pot of the communities they serve, with their members cutting across generations, genders, religions, races, and ethnic backgrounds, and through their dedication to community service, volunteers form strong bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood; ad

WHEREAS, volunteer firefighters are willing to go out at any time, in any weather, and put their lives on the line for the public they serve; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter's Association is to kicking off the "Delaware Volunteer
Firefighters Make a Difference Campaign" for the recruitment of new volunteer firefighters ad members of the auxiliary;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 147th Delaware General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that April 8, 2014 is hereby recognized as "Volunteer Firefighter Day" throughout the State of Delaware. 

Additional information may be obtained via the following websites and/or links:

http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis147.nsf/2bede841c6272c888025698400433a04/05742cea13a2285385257cad005e2028?OpenDocument

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2014/04/05/delaware-firefighters-seek-recruits/7362823/

Delaware's volunteer fire companies will be recognized Tuesday, April 8th by the Delaware General Assembly, which will proclaim it Delaware Volunteer Firefighter Day at Legislative Hall in Dover.

All events are being held in conjunction with National Volunteer Week.

Approximately, eight (8) members of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company attended the opportunity to meet and greet with their elected legislative officials as well an opportunity to discuss fire company initiatives with the Honorable Jack Markell, Governor of the State of Delaware.

Rep. Ruth Briggs-King offers a “Thank you to our volunteer firefighters throughout the state for their continued service and dedication!”

It was a great opportunity to proudly honor our first responders from the Indian River Fire Company at Legislative Hall as state lawmakers recognized yesterday as Volunteer Firefighter Day in Delaware!

Thank you to all our volunteer firefighters throughout the state for their continued service and dedication to the citizens of Delaware.