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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E426-E427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE BURKE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
______
HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Monday, April 8, 2019
Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Burke Volunteer
Fire and Rescue Department on the occasion of its 71st Annual
Installation of Officers Banquet, and to thank its volunteers for
filling an essential role in keeping our community safe.
The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department was founded in January
1948, and for more than 6 decades it has provided lifesaving fire
suppression/prevention and emergency medical and rescue services to the
residents of Burke and the surrounding communities. It also provides,
houses, and maintains firefighting and emergency medical equipment,
provides opportunities for professional growth and development for the
membership, and maintains and fosters a strong viable organization.
As one of the county's most active volunteer fire and rescue
departments, the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department works in
cooperation with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department to serve
the community. In the last year, the Department responded to 3,829
incidents and provided over 22,000 hours of volunteer service to the
community. I am honored to recognize the dedicated men and women who
have volunteered for extra duty as Officers or as members of the Board
of Directors and to include in the Record their names:
Board of Directors--President: Ian Dickinson; Vice President: John
Powers; Secretary: Amy Gold; Treasurer: Patrick Owens; Members at
Large: Larry Bocknek, Matthew Bryant, Kenneth Senn.
Officers--Chief: Thomas Warnock; Deputy Chief: Tina Godfrey; Deputy
Chief: John Hudak; Captain II: Melissa Ashby; Captain II: Larry
Bockneck; Captain II: Keith O'Connor; Lieutenant: Emily Fincher;
Lieutenant: Kevin Grottle; Sergeant: Peter Hamilton; Sergeant: Caitlin
Curran; Chaplain: Harry Chelpon.
In addition to the men and women who have generously assumed the
responsibilities of serving as an Officer or a member of the Board of
Directors, the Burke Volunteer Fire Department is also presenting
awards to the following individuals in recognition of their exemplary
service during the last year.
[[Page E427]]
Officer of the Year: SGT Caitlin Curran
Administrative Member of the Year: Heather Heflin
Rookie of the Year: EMT Susan Weeks
Career Member of the Year: LT Walter ``Al'' Deihl
Firefighter of the Year: FF/EMT Ian Dickinson
EMS Provider of the Year: Paramedic Barry Brown
Team Award: Hall Business Team
Team Award: IT Business Team
Chief's Award: CPT II Melissa Ashby
President's Award: EMT Elizabeth Bartlett
Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the
department for over seventy years of service and in thanking all of the
brave volunteers who do not hesitate to drop everything when the
community calls in need of help. To all of these men and women who put
themselves in harm's way to protect our residents, I say: ``Stay
safe.''
____________________
