HR0483 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0483 LRB094 12482 HSS 46964 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Blue Island Fire Department is celebrating its 125th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, On September 4,1879, 17 men gathered with the purpose of organizing Blue Island's first municipal fire department; until this time, there were several loosely organized fire companies in the young community; the community of Blue Island was founded in 1834 and was an important stopping point for travelers using the famous Vincennes Trail; as the village grew, the need for fire protection became apparent; and

WHEREAS, Equipping the newly formed fire department was now the next order of business; it was 15 years before a horse-drawn apparatus was purchased; prior to that, the equipment was pulled by a large force of volunteers; this new fire apparatus was soon proven to be woefully inadequate, as a great fire destroyed three square blocks of homes and businesses; the great Blue Island fire of May 17, 1896, threatened the entire village; assistance from Morgan Park and West Pullman saved the day; and

WHEREAS, Steam powered engines served the fire department at the turn of the century; in 1916, the first motorized apparatus was purchased, but the department still held on to the horse-drawn apparatus for several more years; in 1922, the fire department hired its first full-time firefighters; modeled after the Chicago fire department, a two platoon system went into effect; the dark blue uniform shirt for firefighters was also borrowed from Chicago; and

WHEREAS, The fire department continued to serve the growing community; newer and more modern equipment was purchased to keep up with the changing face of the fire service; in 1934, the Blue Island fire department assisted Chicago with the stockyards fire; in 1960, a tragedy was avoided as the Lyric Theater was destroyed by fire; although the theater was filled with children enjoying a special Valentines Day show, the department's Chief calmly told them there would be a fire drill, and everyone was safely evacuated; and

WHEREAS, As the department approached its centennial, plans were made for a celebration; the second motorized fire engine ever purchased by the City of Blue Island was restored to working condition by the firefighters; Old Bess, as the 1924 Seagraves is known, has recently been the darling of the State Fair Twilight parade; and

WHEREAS, As the department moved into the 1980s and 1990s, changes included state of the art equipment, the first full-time female firefighter, more diverse, specialized services, and a new emphasis on public education; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Blue Island Fire Department on the occasion of its 125th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Blue Island Fire Department as an expression of our respect and esteem.