[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE CHESHIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2012

  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, as a Cheshire resident, I 
rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Cheshire Fire 
Department.
  Following a devastating fire at the old Waverly Inn the citizens of 
Cheshire came together on the 13th of February, 1912 to discuss how to 
protect their community from the threat of fires. This first community 
meeting would lead to the organization of the Cheshire Fire Department 
on February 27th of that year and the chartering of its first twenty-
seven members a month later. The Department's first call would come 
that April to respond to a chimney fire at the home of one of the 
Department's trustees, Mr. A.S. Bennett.
  Over the past century the Cheshire Fire Department has grown from its 
original hand-drawn Chemical Cart and Hook and Ladder Truck (the 
Department wouldn't have a motorized Fire Truck until 1916) to a modern 
force with seven engines and several other vehicles across three 
stations. Throughout its history the Department has remained an 
organization deeply connected with the community it serves. The 100 
firefighters of the Department are all volunteers who dedicate their 
time, and risk their lives, for the safety of their neighbors. In fact, 
Fire Chief Jack Casner is the first paid career fire chief in the 
Department's history.
  The volunteers and professionals of the Cheshire Fire Department 
continually strive to provide the utmost level of safety and security 
to their community. As the north side of Cheshire has seen a dramatic 
growth in business development, the Department has initiated plans to 
open a fourth fire station in north Cheshire to improve response times 
and quality of service. This ability to adapt and expand while 
remaining focused on the needs of the community has characterized the 
Cheshire Fire Department throughout its now 100-year history and is why 
the Fire Department is the oldest continually operating municipal 
department in Cheshire.
  In reflection of the 100 years of tireless dedication to community 
and public safety in Cheshire, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing and honoring this 100 year anniversary of the Cheshire Fire 
Department, the lives and properties saved by its efforts, and the 
daily risks its volunteers take to protect the town of Cheshire.

                          ____________________