| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The City of Victoria is celebrating the 150th |
|
|
anniversary of the Victoria Fire Department with an open house on |
|
|
November 6, 2021; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In 1869, in response to several local fires, a group |
|
|
of residents formed a bucket brigade and Victoria Fire Company |
|
|
No. 1, a volunteer group that disbanded after a few months; the City |
|
|
of Victoria formally authorized the formation of a downtown engine |
|
|
house on June 5, 1870; the following year, C. R. Alden, a tradesman |
|
|
with experience in fire organizations, laid the foundation for the |
|
|
current department, and a used hand pumper was purchased from |
|
|
Mobile, Alabama, to aid in fire-suppression efforts; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In the decades that followed, several other fire |
|
|
response groups arose within the community; Fire Company No. 1 |
|
|
formed in 1882, Hook & Ladder Company No. 2 in 1882-1883, |
|
|
Protection Hose Company No. 3 in 1885, and Mechanic's Hose Company |
|
|
No. 4 in 1893; over time, the department continued to modernize, |
|
|
and in 1910, the city hired its first salaried firefighters; by |
|
|
1930, the department was fully motorized with two combination |
|
|
pumper and hose trucks, a straight-hose truck, and a chief's car, |
|
|
and in 1931 Salvage Corps Company No. 5 was established; the |
|
|
department consolidated with the City of Victoria emergency medical |
|
|
services into one organization in 1995; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Under the direction of fire chief Tracy Fox, the |
|
|
present-day Victoria FD answers approximately 11,000 service |
|
|
requests each year and now includes teams for hazardous materials |
|
|
response, technical rescue, and water rescue; with strong ties to |
|
|
the community, the department also participates in a number of |
|
|
safety and educational programs for area residents, and in 2018 it |
|
|
was recognized for best practices by the Texas Fire Chiefs |
|
|
Association; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, For 150 years, the courageous firefighters of the |
|
|
Victoria Fire Department have devoted themselves to protecting the |
|
|
lives and property of their fellow citizens, and this notable |
|
|
milestone represents a fitting opportunity to recognize their vital |
|
|
contributions to the community; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
|
|
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 150th |
|
|
anniversary of the Victoria Fire Department and extend to its |
|
|
members sincere best wishes for continued success with their |
|
|
important work; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for the department as an expression of high regard by the |
|
|
Texas House of Representatives. |
| |
|
|
Morrison |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Speaker of the House |
| |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 129 was adopted by the House on |
|
|
October 18, 2021, by a non-record vote. |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
| |