[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E84]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING THOSE FIRE FIGHTERS, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, AND VOLUNTEERS WHO 
  CONTAINED THE LOGAN VALLEY MALL FIRE IN ALTOONA, PA ON DECEMBER 16, 
                                  1994

                                 ______


                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 11, 1995
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a group of people who 
exemplified the utmost professionalism and courage in their efforts to 
battle the devastating Logan Valley Mall fire in Altoona, PA during the 
early hours of Friday, December 16, 1994. These firefighters, emergency 
personnel, and volunteers all came together in a desperate time of need 
to contain this fire which has left an everlasting impression on the 
Altoona economy and its people. Over 300 firefighters, from 63 
departments, stationed in Blair and four surrounding counties were 
called upon to extinguish the fire. Considering the fact that there are 
81,000 firefighters in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 73,000 of 
which are volunteer, one can realize the magnitude of this fire by the 
number of personnel involved. Along with these numerous firefighters 
were emergency assistance workers and volunteers on site to provide any 
needed support throughout the ordeal. I applaud the job done by the 
local police, sheriffs, dispatch centers, and community organizations 
which all played a part during the fire and the aftermath.
  Due to the quick action by all of the participating fire departments 
the powerful blaze was contained, saving a majority of the mall stores, 
and even allowing a handful to reopen in the following days. Hopefully, 
the reconstruction of the mall will be completed by the fall of 1995 
thanks in part to this team of people.
  I know I speak for everyone involved in this tragedy when I say that 
without the support and cooperation demonstrated by this crew of 
professionals and volunteers the damage sustained from the fire surely 
would have been greater, and we are all very thankful that no one was 
seriously injured from the dangerous blaze. In fact, with hundreds of 
people on the scene, only one minor injury was reported. Even though a 
disaster such as this is never welcome, it is reassuring to know that 
there are top notch emergency services in central Pennsylvania, 
committed to a profession in which they face life and death situations 
every time that station bell goes off.
  I hope that in the future our communities will be able to maintain 
the necessary resources needed to maintain such readiness when called 
into action in times of serious emergencies. The Altoona region is 
indeed fortunate to have such a dedicated fire and rescue service on 
hand.


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