[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 88 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING FOREST HILL FIRE-RESCUE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2005

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fire-Rescue 
station of Forest Hill, Texas. The Forest Hill department will soon be 
unveiling state-of-the-art equipment to help assist in widespread 
disaster.
  The equipment to be unveiled was purchased with the funds issued by 
Texas State Homeland Security Grant and the Federal Assistance to 
Firefighters Grant of $523,000 and $37,600 respectively. On the morning 
of July 12th, Forest Hill Fire-Rescue will unveil the newest purchases 
in ``specialized equipment'' that will help serve during times of 
natural or man-made disasters. In addition to using the grant money in 
such sensible and viable means, the Forest Hill Rescue Department 
employed their newly acquired resources as means to establishing the 
much acclaimed Southern Emergency Response and Preparedness 
Association, SERPA. SERPA was designed to develop relationships with 
other local departments and to create standard operating guidelines in 
the case of widespread emergencies.
  Mr. Speaker, as their Congressman, I want to congratulate Fire Chief 
Pat Ekiss and his department for allocating the grant funds in a useful 
manner and to thank them for their dedication in assisting and saving 
others. It is with the service and dedication of department's such as 
the Forest Hill Fire and Rescue that ensure the continuing protection 
and prominence of our communities and nation.

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