HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

140th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.

COMMENDING BRANDYWINE FIRE COMPANY NO. 1, OF BELLEFONTE, DELAWARE, AS IT CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF SERVICE TO RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE.

WHEREAS, the citizens of the Town of Bellefonte organized Brandywine Fire Company No. 1 on March 19, 1924; and

WHEREAS, Brandywine Fire Company No. 1, incorporated on September 29, 1924, which operated out of the garage of Chief John H. Wigglesworth, covered all of the Brandywine Hundred area until Claymont and Talleyville formed fire companies in 1928; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, due to a shortage of men, members of the Ladies Auxiliary were granted fire company membership and became some of the first females to ride on fire trucks and fight fires; and

WHEREAS, in August of 1955, with the aid of a 1948 Pontiac ambulance, Brandywine Hundred Fire Company No. 1 began its first ambulance division to better serve the community, moreover, ambulance service continues today with two first-rate units; and

WHEREAS, a new firehouse was dedicated on April 26, 1958, and underwent a major expansion and renovation in 1998 to house new equipment and to provide for future needs; and

WHEREAS, in 1971, to better serve the community, Brandywine Hundred Fire Company No. 1 purchased a Mack 75 foot Aerialscope, the first in the area; and

WHEREAS, in 1962 and 1976, Brandywine Hundred Fire Company No. 1 hosted the DVFA convention and parade; and

WHEREAS, currently Brandywine Hundred Fire Company No. 1 completes approximately 1,400 ambulance and 600 fire calls a year.

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 140^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that Brandywine Fire Company No. 1, of Bellefonte, Delaware, is hereby commended as it celebrates 75 years of service to residents of this State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the sincere appreciation of the Delaware General Assembly is hereby extended to all members, past and present, of Brandywine Hundred Fire Company No. 1 who have given their time and dedication to the community throughout the past 75 years; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitably prepared copy be given to Brandywine Hundred Fire Company No. 1.

This resolution commends Brandywine Hundred Fire Company No. 1 for 75 years of service to the community.