[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 166 (Tuesday, October 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE SMITH COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2007

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the 
members of the Smith County Volunteer Fire Department for their 
selfless dedication and bravery in protecting our families, day and 
night.
  The Smith County Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1986. 
Volunteers contracted a building, and the community bought a surplus 
Tennessee Air National Guard Dodge power wagon with a 250-gallon 
fiberglass tank. The department has nine active members.
  Without volunteer fire halls, like Smith County, many places in the 
Sixth District would lack effective fire protection. In the State of 
Tennessee, over 70 percent of fire service is provided by volunteers. 
Among these volunteers, almost 75 percent work other daily jobs.
  Ensuring our families' safety is not without risk. Sadly, an average 
of two firefighters die each year in Tennessee in the line of duty. In 
2005, the Tennessee Fire Services and Code Academy dedicated a memorial 
on their main campus in Bell Buckle to honor those Tennessee 
firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
  For their willingness to serve, the following members of the Smith 
County Volunteer Fire Department deserve recognition: Chief Ronnie 
Jackson, Asst. Chief John Robinson, Gerald Bush, George Eisenbach, Josh 
Collins, Mike Posey, Jake Watts, Eddie Barnes, and Josh Tisdale.