SENATE RESOLUTION 51

(By Senators Romano, Facemire, Lindsay, Prezioso, Stollings, Jeffries, Unger, and Hamilton)

[Introduced February 24, 2020]

Recognizing the Shinnston Fire Department on its 90th anniversary.

Whereas, The Shinnston Fire Department, known locally as Ten House, was chartered on June 9, 1930; and

     Whereas, The Shinnston Fire Department has always served its community with a dedicated group of volunteers, equally dedicated family members, and overwhelming community support; and

     Whereas, These multiple generations of volunteers have served the firefighting demands of the City of Shinnston, and the entirety of Harrison County, whenever and wherever needed, during local and mutual-aid fires for nine decades from its first Fire Chief, Harry Carter, to Joe McIntire, to Bob Harrison, to David J. Harmer, who served for 33-years, to Bob Burnett, to Jim Spadafore, to Doug Gregory, and to current Fire Chief, Dylan Oliveto; and

      Whereas, The Shinnston Fire Department’s history includes heroic rescue and recovery efforts after the 1944 tornado, which killed over 100 people and injured more than 400, and destroyed multiple structures, during which its firefighters joined the Red Cross and military personnel to care for the injured and search for the lost; and

      Whereas, The Shinnston Fire Department orchestrated a large-scale donation collection and distribution center in 2016 to assist flood victims in southern West Virginia, collecting more than $2 million in cash, foodstuffs, tents, and supplies comprising more than two dozen tractor trailer loads; and

     Whereas, The Shinnston Fire Department continues its life-saving efforts by helping needy families get smoke detectors and by speaking to school children and families about developing an “escape plan” so they can safely get out of their homes during a fire; and

     Whereas, The number of emergency calls responded to by the Shinnston Fire Department has surged from approximately 35 each year during the early years of the department to approximately 900 calls each year at the present time; and

      Whereas, The Shinnston Fire Department was one of the pioneering departments that launched a central dispatch system and mutual aid agreements between all fire departments to handle the increased and complex demand for fire and emergency services in Harrison County  creating efficiency, avoiding the duplication of services, and preserving resources; and

     Whereas, Shinnston firefighters often must work full-time jobs in addition to their duties at to the fire station where they selflessly and heroically volunteer to cover the demanding 24/7 rotation of all firefighters, so the Shinnston Fire Department stands ready to respond to every call; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the Shinnston Fire Department on its 90th anniversary; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Shinnston Fire Department for its heroic contribution to preserve life and property; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Shinnston Fire Department Chief, Dylan Oliveto.