RESOLUTION
   
   

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE

Daly City Fire Department

Upon the Celebration of Its

100th Anniversary

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the April 1906 San Francisco earthquake, countless thousands began migrating south into sparsely populated San Mateo County, including the area then known as the village of Vista Grande and Top of the Hill; and

   

WHEREAS, by summer 1907 the growing need for organized fire protection led to the creation of the Vista Grande Fire Department under Chief George Edmonds, who instructed his 45 volunteers to respond with their own buckets until standard equipment was purchased; and

   

WHEREAS, by fall 1907, a bell tower had been erected at Vista Grande and Miriam Street, a Ladies Auxiliary was formed and the department had battled its first blaze at the Vista Grande Grocery; The population was estimated at approximately 3,000; and

   

WHEREAS, when the City of Daly City incorporated in March 1911, the department was already in its fourth year, and had overseen the installation of 60 hydrants, the acquisition of a hose wagon, plus 1,200 feet of hose and three 1,000-gallon water tanks; and

   

WHEREAS, Daly City assumed full control of all department operations in 1925 and by World War II, the Daly City Fire Department listed five engines, one first-aid truck and six stations serving a population of 12,000; and

   

WHEREAS, after the war, the department’s growth included the ongoing, 60-year relationship with Operation Santa Claus, the first six paid firefighters in 1951, coverage after the March 1957, Daly City earthquake, the 1963 annexation of the Bayshore Fire Department, response to the Cow Palace stockyard fire during the 1964 Republican National Convention, the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989 and the 1991 Oakland Hills fire; and

   

WHEREAS, in 2003, the department assumed administrative leadership of the newly formed North County Fire Authority comprised of Brisbane, Daly City and Pacifica, greatly enhancing and streamlining 21st century fire protection services for northern San Mateo County.

   

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County congratulates the Daly City Fire Department upon its 100th anniversary, and extends to “Daly City’s Bravest” men and women, sincere wishes for at least another century of excellence.

   

Dated: AUGUST 2, 2007

   
 

SUPERVISORS:

 
   

ROSE JACOBS GIBSON, PRESIDENT

   

MARK CHURCH

   


JERRY HILL

   


RICHARD S. GORDON

   


ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

   
     

Attest:

__________________________________

 

Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors