WHEREAS,
Firefighters dedicate their lives to the protection of life and property. Sometimes that dedication is in the form of countless hours volunteered over many years, in others it is many selfless years working full time for a Fire Department. In all cases, it risks the ultimate sacrifice of a firefighter’s life; and
WHEREAS, International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) is a time where the world’s community can recognize and honor the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible. It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions; and
WHEREAS, International Firefighters’ Day is observed each year on 4th May; and
WHEREAS, On December 7, 1736, Benjamin Franklin and 29 other prominent citizens of Philadelphia met to form the Union Fire Company, a group of volunteers that became the predecessors to the Philadelphia Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, In an ordinance passed by this legislative body on December 29th, 1870, the City of Philadelphia established a paid full time fire service that became the Philadelphia Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Fire Department, through grit, determination, and the utmost willpower of the men and women in uniform serve the City of Philadelphia by responding to more than 260,000 EMS calls, 60,000 fire incidents, and 2,700 structure fires annually; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, That May 4, 2017 be recognized as International Fire Fighters Day in Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, That it honors the men and women of the Philadelphia Fire Department for their continual dedication and service to the City of Philadelphia.
FINALLY RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Fire Department as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
End