A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE RALEIGH FIRE DEPARTMENT and those who have served with the department.
Whereas, the Raleigh Fire Department protects the citizens of North Carolina's capitol city in the county of Wake; and
Whereas, the Raleigh Fire Department was organized in December 1912 as a full‑paid fire department after over 50 years of service by citizen fire companies; and
Whereas, the Raleigh Fire Department was led by Fire Chief Sherwood Brockwell, the first full‑time Chief of Department; and
Whereas, the Raleigh Fire Department was placed in service in December 1912, with two fire stations, two horse‑drawn hose companies, and the following 15 members: Fire Chief Sherwood Brockwell; Assistant Chief Charles Farmer; Company No. 1 members, Captain T. G. Welsh, Lieutenant S. H. Horton, W. M. Niblock, M. J. Martin, W. B. Barker, E. J. Lassiter, R. M. Simmons, and D. B. Jones; and Company No. 2 members, Captain A. A. Doolittle, Lieutenant H. C. Joyner, B. B. Parrish, O. K. Hester, and W. K. Justice; and
Whereas, in 1913 a third hose company and a third fire station was placed in service, and the first two motor fire engines were delivered; and
Whereas, in 1915 the Raleigh Fire Department was fully motorized and the last horse was retired from duty; and
Whereas, in 1915 the Raleigh Fire Department's force of 24 firefighters protected a population of over 24,000 residents living within four square miles; and
Whereas, in 1950, as the City of Raleigh grew in size, the Raleigh Fire Department consisted of six engine companies, protecting 65,679 residents, encompassing 10.9 square miles. The department was staffed by 84 members and answered 911 calls that calendar year; and
Whereas, by the end of the 20th Century, the Raleigh Fire Department continued to expand in both size and scope. Today's Raleigh Fire Department responds to fires, provides emergency medical care, responds to rescue calls, performs inspections and plan reviews of buildings, conducts fire and life safety education, and is equipped with special technical rescue, hazardous‑materials, and urban search and rescue teams; and
Whereas, today the Raleigh Fire Department's 27 fire stations and 28 engine companies, eight ladder companies, and three rescue companies protect a population of 403,892 and 144.8 square miles. The Raleigh Fire Department has 575 uniformed and civilian members. The Raleigh Fire Department responded to 37,781 fire, emergency, and service calls in the 2011 calendar year; and
Whereas, the Raleigh Fire Department will be celebrating its centennial anniversary throughout 2012 with a number of public celebrations; and
Whereas, this occasion is worthy of recognition and should be enjoyed and supported by all North Carolinians; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the founders of the Raleigh Fire Department and the men and women who have served the department in protection of the citizens of Raleigh.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Raleigh Fire Department on its 100th Anniversary as a career fire department.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Fire Chief of the City of Raleigh.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.