[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING ROBERT ``RED'' McKEON ON RECEIVING THE FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR 
             AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 2, 1999

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Robert 
``Red'' McKeon on receiving the Firefighter of the Year award from the 
National Volunteer Fire Council. Red embodies the characteristics which 
make volunteer firefighters extraordinary public servants.
  Red McKeon has been active in the volunteer firefighter community on 
the local, state, national and international levels for more than fifty 
years. In 1944, he joined the Occum Volunteer Fire Department in Occum, 
Connecticut. After serving in a number of positions, he became Chief in 
1960. He served in that position for the next thirty four years. This 
tenure is a testament to Red's leadership skills, innovative practices 
and commitment to his community. Under Red's leadership, the Occum 
Volunteer Fire Department achieved a number of ``firsts'' in the State 
of Connecticut. Occum was the first department to have two-way radio 
communication equipment in fire trucks and other vehicles; the first to 
have a computer in the station which could provide a wide array of 
training to keep skills sharp; and the first department to have 
certified firefighters and emergency medical technicians. In 1970, Red 
established the Occum volunteer ambulance service to ensure that the 
residents of Occum and the surrounding communities could receive state-
of-the-art emergency medical treatment within minutes.
  Red has been a pioneer in other areas as well. He has worked for a 
number of years to develop a pension system for volunteer firefighters. 
Unlike their career counterparts, our volunteer firefighters do not 
receive a pension after decades of service to their communities. Red 
worked to establish a system in the State of Connecticut which allows 
communities to establish voluntary retirement programs for volunteers. 
Under Red's plan, communities can provide a small, but extremely 
crucial, amount of retirement income to men and women who have 
safeguarded our lives and property for decades. This is another example 
of Red's commitment to the volunteer firefighters of Connecticut.
  Red has also served in a number of state and national volunteer 
firefighter organizations. He has been a member of the Connecticut 
State Firemen's Association since 1944 serving as its President between 
1977 and 1978 and Treasurer since 1979. He has also participated in a 
wide array of other state-based organizations, including the Fire 
Chiefs' Technical Advisory Committee, Emergency Medical Advisory 
Committee, and the Fire Department Safety Officers Association.
  On the national level, Red has been an active member of the National 
Volunteer Fire Council--the largest volunteer firefighter organization 
in the country--for many years. Between 1991 and 1994, he served as the 
Council's President following five years as Second Vice President. As 
Vice President and President, Red worked on behalf of volunteers across 
the country to ensure that they received the latest firefighting and 
emergency medical training and were represented with a united voice at 
all levels of government. In this capacity, Red was a trusted advisor 
to Congress and the Executive branch.
  Mr. Speaker, Red McKeon exemplifies the very best of volunteer 
firefighters across this country. Over fifty five years of active 
service as a volunteer firefighter, Red has worked tirelessly to 
modernize and strengthen volunteer fire departments in eastern 
Connecticut and nationwide. I commend him for receiving the Firefighter 
of the Year award and thank him for his service to Connecticut and the 
nation.

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