[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNAL HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2006

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Signal Hill Fire 
Department located near Belleville, IL.
  In 1946, the city of East St. Louis advised Signal Hill residents 
their fire department would no longer respond outside of the city 
limits. At the same time, the city of Belleville said their fire 
department would only respond to the Country Club Place subdivision if 
that neighborhood was annexed into the city.
  Given the choice of annexation or lack of fire protection, a group of 
civic-minded citizens gathered to form the Signal Hill Fire Department. 
In July of 1946, the voters of the proposed fire protection district 
approved the formation of a taxing district that would provide funding 
for the fire department.
  Sixty years later, the courage and dedication of the firefighters, as 
well as the consistent support of the community are still the hallmark 
of this volunteer fire department.
  From its earliest days, the Signal Hill Fire Department has been 
guided and staffed by individuals who have been highly motivated, enjoy 
a challenge, and are sincerely interested helping others. The call to 
duty has been answered by several hundred community members who have 
given freely of their time to protect others from the perils of fire.
  Significant progress has been made though the years as the Signal 
Hill Fire Department has not only kept pace with new procedures and 
equipment but has often been at the forefront of evolving technological 
advances. Signal Hill became the first fire department in all of 
Southern Illinois to acquire a thermal imaging camera. Two years later, 
they were profiled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National 
Volunteer Fire Council, and the U.S. Fire Administration as an 
extraordinary example of recruiting and retaining volunteer 
firefighters. More recently, Signal Hill became the first volunteer 
fire department in all of St. Clair County and Southwestern Illinois to 
earn the distinguished ISO Class 3 rating.
  The Signal Hill Fire Department has been a shining example of 
dedication and professionalism, made possible by the sacrifices that 
their volunteer firefighters and their families have made since 1946. 
Their compassion, valor, and unselfish acts of courage make each of 
them an everyday hero.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 60th 
anniversary of the Signal Hill Fire Department and to wish the best to 
them for continued service in the future.

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