[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 78 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S6013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)

                       ST. ALBANS FIRE DEPARTMENT

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the St. 
Albans Fire Department for 100 years of dedicated service to its 
community. Their outstanding achievement has not only improved the town 
of St. Albans, but West Virginia as a whole. I am proud to represent 
such a courageous and selfless group of individuals, who serve West 
Virginia well every day. All first responders are enormously important 
to our well being and to their communities, but the longevity of this 
department deserves special recognition.
  The St. Albans Fire Department was started in 1906 as the St. Albans 
Salvage Corps. The small group of committed volunteers ventures to 
preserve property and save lives in this small Kanawha County 
community. Their goal created a foundation on which the St. Albans Fire 
Department--SAFD--was built. Today, the SAFD is a 26 person team of 19 
full time and seven part time firefighters. Although the operation has 
grown tremendously, the firefighters still strive to protect every 
aspect of the community. They respond not only to fires, but also to 
automobile accidents, water rescue, as well as providing emergency 
medical service. The firefighters that represent St. Albans are highly 
trained and capable of handling all types of emergencies.
  The SAFD was presented with the Life Safety Achievement Award for the 
sixth time in 2005. This award is given to the departments that help 
reduce the number of fire related deaths each year. In 2004, St. Albans 
did not have any structural fire deaths. The Department was also able 
to improve their Insurance Safety Office rating from a Class 4 to a 
Class 3. The better rating will help not only the fire department, but 
the people they serve as well, by lowering their insurance premiums. 
This achievement shows the true dedication of the St. Albans Fire 
Department. Congratulations on such an amazing accomplishment, and let 
the next 100 years be as strong as the first.

                          ____________________