HR1299 LRB095 21437 KXB 50854 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The Lake Villa Fire Department was established in
3 1933, but actually began in 1931 when men of the community
4 American Legion got together and discussed the need for a fire
5 department for the Lake Villa Township; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The men formed the Lake Villa Volunteer Firemen's
7 Association with William Marks as president, Al Kapple as
8 secretary, and D.R. Manzer as the treasurer; on July 3, 1931 a
9 dance was held to raise money to buy equipment and membership
10 cards for the Fire Protection area were also sold; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Three water cisterns were built to hold 10,000
12 gallons of water until equipment could be purchased; in 1933
13 the first fire truck, a Pirsch, was purchased for $5,300 and
14 housed in a local garage; the first fire chief, Fred Hamlin,
15 was made custodian of the siren and assumed responsibility to
16 alert the other men in the event of a fire; and
 
17     WHEREAS, In 1934, a section of the new village hall was
18 built for the fire equipment; in 1936, a fire protection
19 district was created and the first trustees were appointed; and
20 by 1940, with the growth of the area, new equipment and a new
21 firehouse were obtained; and
 

 

 

HR1299 - 2 - LRB095 21437 KXB 50854 r

1     WHEREAS, Many of the men went off to serve in World War II
2 and Korea and resumed fire protection duties upon their return;
3 during that time rapid growth covered the area and more
4 equipment and manpower were needed; over the next several years
5 the Lake Villa Rescue Squad and Underwater Recovery Team would
6 be formed from the original idea of a fire department; and
 
7     WHEREAS, In 1983 the Lake Villa Fire Department celebrated
8 its 50th anniversary with an open house; the 75th anniversary
9 will be celebrated with a monument dedication ceremony and a
10 dinner in honor of the Lake Villa Fire Department and its rich
11 history; therefore, be it
 
12     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
13 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
14 congratulate the many men and women who have served with the
15 Lake Villa Fire Department over the years and wish them the
16 best as they continue to provide a safe environment for the
17 community; and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to the Lake Villa Fire Department as a symbol of our
20 respect.