[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROTECTIVES CO. 1 OF 
                             ROCHESTER, NY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Protectives Co. 1 of Rochester, New York as they approach their 150th 
anniversary. Ever since their formation on August 23, 1858 these 
volunteer citizens have spent thousands of hours a year protecting the 
property of their neighbors from fire, smoke and water damage thereby 
reducing the costs to the businesses and citizens of Rochester in their 
most distressing times.
  Formed as part of a general reorganization of a fractured and 
dysfunctional Rochester Fire Department, the Protectives Property 
Protection and Salvage Company instilled a sense of security that the 
community it served had been missing. Before its inception, the 
citizens of Rochester relied on ten separate, and often bickering, fire 
departments to protect their homes and businesses from fires. The 
Protectives helped bring about a renewed commitment to protecting the 
community.
  The original Protectives Property Protection and Salvage Company has 
not only saved countless dollars in property damage over the years, but 
has also saved the lives of many individuals and firefighters from out 
of control fires. The Protectives No. 1 operates as a volunteer unit 
under the Rochester Fire Department assisting them with salvage, 
ventilation, lighting and holding fire hoses as ordered by the fire 
Chief, thereby relieving the firefighting manpower at the scene of an 
active fire.
  The Protectives have been there supporting the Greater Rochester 
community throughout some of its most trying times, including the Great 
Sibley Fire of 1904 which totaled 4 million dollars worth of damage at 
the time. And today they continue to work many of the most fundamental 
and underappreciated jobs including pumping out flooded basements, and 
setting up and operating fans and lighting during salvaging efforts. 
Each and every day they subscribe to their motto, ``we strive to 
save.''
  The Greater Rochester Area owes them a debt of gratitude for their 
dedicated work and thousands of hours of volunteer services. So it is 
with great pride and appreciation that I congratulate the Protectives 
Co. 1 for 150 years of great service, and may it continue to serve as a 
model of volunteer service and community activism for the citizens of 
Rochester, NY and across America.

                          ____________________