HJ5085: Commending Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

WHEREAS, the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., is recognized for 50 years of exemplary service to the town of Greenbackville; and

WHEREAS, the volunteers of the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department are an outstanding squad of tireless and dedicated professionals, who proudly protect the quality of life and the social, economic, and environmental infrastructure of Greenbackville; and

WHEREAS, the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department was organized in February 1956 after three disastrous fires occurred in the small town of Greenbackville; and

WHEREAS, at a town meeting held in an old school building, concerned citizens pledged $1,000 and made plans to construct a fire station and obtain fire equipment; and

WHEREAS, the original firehouse was completed in May 1956 and the first fire truck, a 1938 International, was purchased for $1,000; and

WHEREAS, living charter members who founded the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department in 1956 are Earl Schmedeke, Charles Bodley, James M. Marshall, Ronald L. Matthews, Eddie Chapman, Willard Northam, Charles Bowmann, and Skip Sharpley; and

WHEREAS, the Ladies Auxiliary was formed and chartered in May 1956 and has been instrumental to the development and success of the department; and

WHEREAS, living charter members who founded the Ladies Auxiliary are Effie Williams, Lois Marshall, Eleanor Bodley, Olga Jones, Sarah Hill, and Gloria Sharpley; and

WHEREAS, in 1963 the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department purchased its first new fire engine, an International Pumper; and

WHEREAS, emergency services were greatly expanded for the benefit of all of the residents of the community in 1978, when the first ambulance was purchased and the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad was organized; and

WHEREAS, on September 30, 2000, the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department held gala activities and a joyous ceremony to dedicate a new, three-bay, drive-thru station; the former firehouse was renovated and transformed into a formal banquet hall; and

WHEREAS, the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department currently operates two advanced life support ambulances and seven fire fighting apparatus; and

WHEREAS, the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department currently has over 30 dedicated fire and emergency management services personnel and over 20 active Ladies Auxiliary members, who respond to more than 200 calls for service each year; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to the charter members of the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., and the Ladies Auxiliary as an expression of the gratitude and admiration of the General Assembly for the department’s commitment to the citizens of Greenbackville.