HR1004 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1004 LRB102 29785 MST 41861 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Northwest St. Clair County Fire Protection District on the occasion of its 75th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, In 1946, the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department was organized by a group of concerned citizens who realized the need for fire protection for the unincorporated area located just outside the Belleville city limits; and

WHEREAS, The Number 1 Fire Station was built at 1513 North Belt West by volunteers who were involved in the forming of the fire department; as the department developed to the south in the 1950s, volunteer firemen again came together, and Engine House No. 2 was built; and

WHEREAS, From the department's inception through 1976, it operated on a subscription service; however, the department never refused service to anyone; and

WHEREAS, In 1980, the district was the first in the area to require that all firefighters become certified firefighters by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, the three fire districts were combined into the Northwest St. Clair County Fire Protection District; and

WHEREAS, In 1997, residents overwhelmingly supported a bond issue, permitting the building of a new state of the art fire station at 3407 South Belt West; and

WHEREAS, As the department continued to grow, the amount of training in specialized areas expanded, including technical rescue, hazmat, confined space, high angle, EMS, line officer, and chief officer; and

WHEREAS, As with those dedicated individuals who founded the fire department in 1946, the firefighters today continue the legacy of providing the best possible service to the district through training and education, in order to provide the necessary life saving skills to residents; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Northwest St. Clair County Fire Protection District on its 75th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Northwest St. Clair County Fire Protection District as a symbol of our respect and esteem.