Monday, July 3, 2023
On Thursday, June 29th, from 4:00 p.m., following a fire drill, a ceremony and celebration to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade was held in the large hall on the second floor of the Hokuryu Town Community Center.
The event was a great success, with over 120 people in total, including members of the group and fire department personnel, participating.
- 1 Hokuryu Fire Brigade 110th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony and Celebration
- 2 Opening speech: Mr. Takayoshi Kazuma, Chief of the Hokuryu Branch of the Fukagawa Fire Department, Fukagawa District Fire Department Association
- 3 Speech by Mayor Yutaka Sano of Hokuryu Town
- 4 Presentation of a letter of appreciation and a certificate of commendation
- 5 Congratulatory speech
- 5.1 Mr. Yasuhiro Sasaki, Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Council (read by Mr. Shoichi Nakamura, Vice-Chairman)
- 5.2 Mr. Katsunori Konishi, Chief of the Sorachi Regional Branch of the Hokkaido Fire Department Association (Chief of the Numata Fire Brigade)
- 5.3 Mr. Tadashi Kimoto, Chief of Fukagawa Police Station, Asahikawa District, Hokkaido Prefectural Police
- 6 Congratulatory telegram presentation
- 7 Thank you to Mr. Shigeyuki Nakayama, Chairman of the Hokuryu Fire Department's 110th Anniversary Commemorative Project Committee and Chief of the Hokuryu Fire Department, Fukagawa District Fire Department Union
- 8 celebration
- 9 Three cheers for longevity
- 10 YouTube videos
- 11 Other photos
- 12 Related articles
Hokuryu Fire Brigade 110th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony and Celebration
Commemorative Ceremony Program and List of Awardees
Moderator: Mirai Ohira
The emcee will be Ohira Mirai, one of the female members who joined the fire brigade this year.
The ceremony will be followed by a speech by Mayor Yutaka Sano, presentation of letters of appreciation and certificates of commendation, congratulatory remarks, the reading of congratulatory telegrams, and words of thanks.
Opening speech: Mr. Takayoshi Kazuma, Chief of the Hokuryu Branch of the Fukagawa Fire Department, Fukagawa District Fire Department Association
Speech by Mayor Yutaka Sano of Hokuryu Town
"I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Hokuryu Fire Brigade on celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, a milestone built on history and tradition.
The Hokuryu Fire Brigade is said to have begun in April 1913 (Taisho 2) when a group of volunteers formed a private fire protection association, collecting donations to improve facilities, and we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and respect for the noble spirit of the people of that time.
Since then, the organization has overcome many difficulties and challenges over the years, becoming a fire brigade, a civil defense corps, and then a fire brigade in 1947, and has made remarkable progress by working hard to strengthen and expand its firefighting capabilities, leading to the fire brigade we know today.
During this time, there have been many disasters, including fires and natural disasters. At each time, the firefighters have always been on the front lines, risking their own safety to fight the disaster and minimizing the damage, earning the townspeople deep trust and great expectations.
This is a testament to our ancestors' deep love for their hometown and their strong firefighting spirit to protect the lives and property of the townspeople, and is a great tribute to the town that has worked hard to maintain the safety and order of local residents.We express our deepest respect and gratitude that this fine tradition has been passed down.
In recent years, due to changes in the environment and socio-economic situation, various disasters, including fires, have become more complex and diverse, and the responsibility of the fire brigade to protect the lives and property of townspeople has become increasingly important.
As the aging society progresses, the number of people who are considered vulnerable to disasters is increasing. In order to ensure that people can live safely and securely, we have strengthened our fire prevention activities by recruiting female firefighters this year. We look forward to their continued success.
I intend to continue working on town development in collaboration with local residents and the local government in order to meet the needs of local residents.
We hope that the members of the fire brigade will take this glorious 110th anniversary of the founding of the Kitaryu Fire Brigade as an opportunity to carry on the good traditions, strive to further raise the spirits, and make even greater efforts to ensure the safety and security of the townspeople and to promote Himawari Town as a bright and livable place.
In conclusion, I would like to offer my heartfelt prayers for the further development of Hokuryu Fire Department, and for the continued success, good health and happiness of all its staff and members. I would also like to ask all townspeople for their deep understanding and cooperation in fire administration.
Presentation of a letter of appreciation and a certificate of commendation
Letter of Appreciation from the Mayor of Hokuryu
- Former leaders: 9th leader Toshiaki Fujii
10th leader Osamu Kato - Former Vice-Presidents 10th Vice-President Nakamura Shoichi
- Former Division Commanders: 15th Division Commander, 1st Division, Yasunori Takahashi
- Former member with over 20 years of service
Deputy Chief of the 1st Division, Norio Sugimoto
Fuminori Kawashima, Vice Chief of the 2nd Division
1st Division Chief Takashi Ishii
Naomi Kawashima, Director of the 2nd Division
Katsumi Kitajima, Director of the 2nd Division
2nd Division Chief Asao Morishima
Kazumi Hirabayashi, Chief of the 2nd Division
First Division Squad Leader Tomohiro Fukase - Former Support Group Chairman
Ryoji Kikura, Chairman of the 1st Division Support Group
Toshiaki Fujii, Chairman of the 1st Division Supporters Association
Masakazu Yoshio, Chairman of the Second Division Support Group
Chairman of the 2nd Division Support Group, Yuji Kamono
Hokuryu Town Mayor's Award
- Mr. Shigeyuki Nakayama, leader of the group with over 30 years of service
Vice Leader Takashi Ukai
Hiroki Tsuzuki, Chief of the 1st Division
Congratulatory speech
- Mr. Yasuhiro Sasaki, Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Council (read by Mr. Shoichi Nakamura, Vice-Chairman)
- Mr. Katsunori Konishi, Chief of the Sorachi Regional Branch of the Hokkaido Fire Department Association (Chief of the Numata Fire Brigade)
- Mr. Tadashi Kimoto, Chief of Fukagawa Police Station, Asahikawa District, Hokkaido Prefectural Police
Mr. Yasuhiro Sasaki, Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Council (read by Mr. Shoichi Nakamura, Vice-Chairman)
"Today's Hokuryu Fire Drill, commemorating the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade, was held, and although there were concerns about rain, the series of events was completed without a hitch. I would like to congratulate you on this. We also received a letter of appreciation from Mayor Sano. Thank you very much.
Chairman Sasaki was unable to attend due to various circumstances. I have received a congratulatory message from the chairman, which I will read on his behalf.
Congratulatory speech: Hokuryu Town Council Chairman, Yasuhiro Sasaki
We would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations on the memorable 110th anniversary of the founding of the Hokuryu Fire Department.
The Hokuryu Fire Brigade was founded around Meiji 40 as a means of self-defense against fires, which can take lives and property in an instant, and was later organized in Taisho 2 (1913) and continues to exist to this day.
The Fire Service Act was enacted in 1947, establishing today's municipal fire services. In April 1972, the Fukagawa District Fire Department was established as a regional fire service comprising one city and five towns in Kita-Sorachi, and I believe this has played a major role in creating the foundation for the safety and security of Hokuryu Town today.
As the times have changed from Heisei to Reiwa, the focus has shifted from protecting oneself from fires and preventing fires to responding to the frequent occurrence of unexpected and devastating disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rains, and heavy snowfall.
I would like to express my deepest respect to all members of the fire brigade for their dedicated work, which, in addition to their daily work, they carry out with a noble spirit of local love and a strong sense of responsibility.
We hope that you will take this glorious 110th anniversary as an opportunity to make even greater efforts and dedication to maintaining peace and order in the lives of local residents and promoting social and public welfare. We would like to conclude our congratulations.
In closing, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the relevant organizations and the cooperation of all townspeople for the efforts to enhance firefighting functions and improve facilities and equipment over the years, and for the development and expansion of the modern firefighting services we see today. Congratulations on your achievements today.
June 29, 2023, Hokuryu Town Council Chairman Sasaki Yasuhiro.
Mr. Katsunori Konishi, Chief of the Sorachi Regional Branch of the Hokkaido Fire Department Association (Chief of the Numata Fire Brigade)
"I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Hokuryu Fire Brigade, Fukagawa District Fire Department, on reaching the significant milestone of its 110th anniversary and holding a commemorative ceremony.
Since the Hokuryu Fire Brigade was founded as a private fire prevention association in 1913, all the successive fire brigade chiefs, staff members, and supporting members have faced various challenges as the environment surrounding fire administration has changed with the times, but they have overcome numerous difficulties by pooling their knowledge and efforts to strengthen the fire brigade organization, improve and expand fire prevention facilities, and spread fire prevention ideas and hone training skills for the safety and security of the townspeople.We would like to express our deep respect for these efforts.
Today's commemorative exercise began with disciplined training, followed by coordinated pump operation training, simultaneous water spraying, and a dignified march in formation, all of which were impressive.We have put in place a thorough disaster prevention and prevention system, and I am confident that our preparedness will fully meet the wishes of the townspeople, further deepening their trust in us.
In recent years, natural disasters, such as record-breaking snowfall and heavy rain, have become more frequent and severe in many areas. As a result, expectations are high for our fire brigade, and the role we must play is becoming even more important.
We hope that today's 110th anniversary ceremony will serve as an opportunity for you to continue to work hard in your training, with confidence and pride in your wonderful firefighting traditions, and to continue to work even harder in the future.
In conclusion, I would like to offer my best wishes for the continued growth of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade, Fukagawa District Fire Department Association, and for the good health and happiness of all those attending today.
Mr. Tadashi Kimoto, Chief of Fukagawa Police Station, Asahikawa District, Hokkaido Prefectural Police
"I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on the grand celebration of the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade today.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of you for your continued understanding and cooperation in all areas of police administration.
The members of the Hokuryu Fire Department, which has a glorious tradition and history, work hard at their noble job of protecting the lives and property of residents from fires and disasters, with a deep sense of local pride and a strong sense of responsibility, in addition to their busy main jobs.We would like to express our deepest respect for their hard work.
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to observe your troops marching in formation and conducting drills under the command of their commander. I was impressed by your high morale, dignified presence, and disciplined bravery, and felt that you were truly reliable and powerful.
In recent years, large-scale natural disasters and accidents have occurred frequently across the country, and disasters and accidents caused by abnormal weather are also on the rise in Hokkaido.
Here in Hokuryu Town, we are able to maintain a peaceful life thanks to the dedicated efforts of everyone involved, but we are concerned that in the future we will be required to carry out an increasing number of difficult activities, such as firefighting, emergency medical care, and search and rescue operations at disaster sites.
I sincerely ask that all members of the Hokuryu Fire Department continue to maintain a high level of awareness, strive to further improve their skills, and live up to the expectations and trust placed in them by the townspeople.
As the police force, we share the same mission as the Hokuryu Fire Department, so we intend to continue working together with you as we have done in the past and make even greater efforts to make Hokuryu a safe and secure town.
In closing, I would like to offer my best wishes for continued good health and happiness to the members of the fire brigade and fire department staff, as well as to all those in attendance today."
Congratulatory telegram presentation
Read by: Takayoshi Kazuma, Chief of the Hokuryu Branch of the Fukagawa Fire Department, Fukagawa District Fire Department Association
Congratulatory telegram: Kenichi Suzuki, Director of the Sorachi Regional Development Bureau
We would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to the Hokuryu Fire Brigade on reaching the major milestone of its 110th anniversary and on the grand commemorative fire drill that will be held.
The Hokuryu Fire Brigade was founded in April 1913 by volunteers who formed a private fire prevention association, and since then has supported the safe and secure lives of the residents of Hokuryu town, preventing numerous fires and disasters.
I would like to express my deepest respect to the many years of dedicated efforts made by our predecessors who have carried on this tradition to the present day.
While all of you have your own jobs, the members of the fire brigade are working hard in firefighting activities based on the noble spirit of protecting your own community.We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your noble efforts, and we hope that you will continue to train hard in order to fulfill the increasingly important role of firefighting in terms of crisis management, and that you will continue to work hard and meet the expectations of residents as guardians of the safety and security of the community.
The Sorachi General Development Bureau will continue to work closely with you to create a community where residents can live in peace, and we appreciate your continued support and cooperation.
In closing, I would like to offer my heartfelt prayers for the health of everyone gathered here today, and for the continued success of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade.
June 29, 2023, Kenichi Suzuki, Director General of the Sorachi Regional Development Bureau.
Thank you to Mr. Shigeyuki Nakayama, Chairman of the Hokuryu Fire Department's 110th Anniversary Commemorative Project Committee and Chief of the Hokuryu Fire Department, Fukagawa District Fire Department Union
Mr. Shigeyuki Nakayama, Chief of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade, Fukagawa District Fire Department
"It is a great pleasure for the members of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade to be able to hold a commemorative drill and ceremony in this year marking the 110th anniversary of the founding of the fire brigade.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those involved for their understanding and cooperation.
This year also marked the 130th anniversary of the founding of Hokuryu Town, since the first settlers from Chiba Prefecture brought down the hoes to start development in 1893.
During the pioneering days, the frequent devastation of natural disasters and the outbreak of forest fires made the residents keenly aware of the need for a firefighting organization, and the Wa Fire Prevention Association was established a dozen years after the Chiba group settled there.
It was later reorganized into the private Shinryu Fire Prevention Association in 1913, and this year is considered to be the origin of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade.
Over the years, it evolved into a private fire brigade, then a public fire brigade, and finally a civil defense corps, and in 1947, after the end of the war, it was converted into a municipal fire brigade and the Kitaryū Village Fire Brigade was formed.
Furthermore, in order to strengthen the firefighting organization and modernize facilities, the Sorachi District Fire Department Association was established as a wide-area fire department in 1972, and with the cooperation of relevant cities and towns, efforts were made to improve private fire department reorganization.
We would like to express our deepest respect to our predecessors who, throughout this long history, have continued to work tirelessly as firefighters with a strong spirit of local pride.
As the traditional Hokuryu Fire Department celebrates its significant 110th anniversary, it is determined to protect the Hokuryu firefighting spirit that has been cultivated over the years, accurately grasp the changes of the times and social transformations, and continue to work hard to meet the expectations of its residents as it faces disasters.
We would like to express our gratitude to all of you for your continued guidance, encouragement, and support for the Hokuryu Fire Department."
celebration
A sumptuous meal (from Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen) was served, including celebratory red rice, and members of the Soba Shokuraku Club Hokuryu (Representative: Nakamura Naoichi) presented heartfelt hand-made soba noodles.
Opening speech: Mr. Satoshi Joja, Chairman of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade Association
"Thank you very much for attending the Hokuryu Fire Brigade's 110th anniversary celebration, despite your busy schedules during this time of year.
We would like to once again express our heartfelt respect and gratitude to the individuals who received the certificates of appreciation and awards today for their long-term service as local disaster prevention defenders in their respective positions.
During the commemorative exercise, the disciplinary and operational training, which have been carried on for 110 years, were still of the traditional high quality, and I was able to once again feel the strong passion for training.
In closing, I hope that there will be no fires this year, and I wish the Hokuryu Fire Brigade continued success and the good health of all those in attendance. Thank you for your hard work today."
Toast: Honorary Firefighter Hiroaki Ito
"Congratulations on the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade. I would like to express my respect and gratitude to all those who have just received awards and certificates of appreciation for their long-term activities.
"In addition, three female firefighters have joined the corps, and we look forward to seeing them make a difference. Let's raise a toast to Hokuryu Fire Department."
cheers!With a shout, everyone drank celebratory sake together.
A heartwarming banquet
Nostalgic video of firefighting activities: Hiroyuki Takimoto, 8th Branch Chief
Three cheers for longevity
The event concluded with three cheers by Yamagishi Masatoshi, an honorary member of the Fukagawa District Fire Department!
The event concluded with three cheers by Yamagishi Masatoshi, an honorary member of the Fukagawa District Fire Department!
"Watching the very nostalgic film, I was reminded of a part of the past 110 years.
It has been 110 years since its founding in 1913 (Taisho 2). In 1947 (Showa 22), it became a municipal fire department.
I joined the Fire Department in 1969, and looking back now, I think that one of the things I was grateful for during this period of great change was the construction of a fire department building, which strengthened our permanent firefighting system by increasing the number of staff.
Another thing is that the introduction of tanker trucks has had a huge effect on fighting fires in their early stages.
However, above all, the foundation is people. Like the award recipients I mentioned earlier, true firefighting activities are possible only when young people share their passion for protecting their hometowns. I believe that there are support groups that support this, and a firefighting administration that understands this.
There were two typhoons in May this year. It is said that the rising sea levels in the Pacific and Indian Oceans this year are similar to those in 2015.
Eight years ago was the year when Nagano and Kumamoto prefectures were hit by major floods. I hope that all firefighters will not let their guard down and will continue to train and improve.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the firefighters here today, and to use the 110th anniversary as an opportunity to pray for the continued development of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade, for no fires or disasters, and for the good health of everyone in attendance here today. I would like to celebrate the 110th anniversary with three cheers.
Hooray for the 110th anniversary of the Hokuryu Fire Brigade! Hooray! Hooray!
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Hokuryu Fire Brigade, a 110-year-old tradition that protects the safe and secure lives of the people of Hokuryu Town with a dignified spirit of local pride and a proud sense of trust and responsibility.
YouTube videos
Other photos
Related articles
◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)
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