March 6, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 40 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE RECRUIT CLASS 2018-02 OF THE PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY 
                     DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND RESCUE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 2019

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the recent 
graduates of the Prince William County Public Safety Academy. These men 
and women will soon join the ranks of those who have served and 
continue to serve in the Prince William County Department of Fire and 
Rescue.
  Since its inception in 1966, the Department of Fire and Rescue has 
led the way. In 1967, Prince William County became the first 
jurisdiction on the East Coast to implement the 911 System. That same 
year, Prince William became the first county in the Commonwealth of 
Virginia and the National Capital Region to implement a physical 
ability exam for career firefighters. In 1994, Mary Beth Michos was 
hired as Chief and became the first female fire and rescue chief of a 
metro-sized department. The Prince William County Department of Fire 
and Rescue continues to maintain one of the most forward-thinking 
combination fire departments in the country, and its legacy of 
``firsts'' continues. It is one of only three jurisdictions in the 
Commonwealth of Virginia with delegated training authority, granted by 
the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.
  Class 18-2 spanned 3 seasons: Summer, Fall, and Winter. They 
encountered everything from sun and humidity with unseasonably high 
temperatures, to frigid cold and wind. Dealing with some rain events 
and even snow and ice at times. This rigorous training process exceeded 
1,300 hours. Upon successful completion of this program, each recruit 
is eligible to graduate and become a Fire and Rescue Technician with 
the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue.
  The training and certification required to achieve the status of a 
Fire and Rescue Technician cannot be accomplished without significant 
dedication and hard work. Today's graduates have completed more than 
600 hours of the required coursework for certification in Emergency 
Medical Technician, Infection Control, CPR, Firefighter I & II, 
Advanced Fire Behavior, Hazardous Materials Operations, LPG 
Emergencies, Rural Water Supply, Stress First Aid, MAYDAY Firefighter 
Down, Rapid Intervention Team Operations, Technical Rescue Modules 1 & 
2, Vehicle Rescue Level I, and Emergency Vehicle Operator I, II, & III.
  It is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the 
Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue recruit class 
graduates: Nicholas A. Beede, Ashford P. Bembry, Mollie L. Bodmer, 
Dominic J. Clarke, William B. Cornwell, Brent A. Corrinne, Pierre L. 
D'Elia, Sean K. Denise, Andrew R. Denner, Kevin W. Fagga, Ian E. 
Franklin, Matthew K. Harris, Talia B. Hedley, Aaron M. Kearns, Joshua 
J. Labuhn, Michael D. Lamb Jr., Zachery E. Lloyd, Tobi A. Olafisoye, 
Alexander J. Otto, Jeffery R. Payne, Rachel K. Payne, Kimberly C. 
Peele, Logan J. Penry, Lawrence J. Price, Brandon S. Rice, Lindsay E. 
Savat, Matthew G. Truslow, Juliana C. Veloso, Jacob W. Vetter, Randy L. 
Williams, Brian T. Zimmerman.
  As the newest members of the Department of Fire and Rescue, these 
graduates join the department as integral parts of the emergency 
response and community safety team.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
newest members of the Prince William County Department of Fire and 
Rescue. I am confident that recruit class 2018-02 will serve the 
residents of Prince William County with honor and distinction. In the 
tradition of their new firefighting family, I say: ``Stay safe.''

                          ____________________