[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE PUTNAM COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the 
members of the Putnam County Volunteer Fire Department for their 
selfless dedication and bravery in protecting our families, day and 
night.
  The Putnam County Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1977. 
The department started with a Ford van and two 55-gallon drums of 
water, a water pump and garden hose and approximately four people.
  Without volunteer fire halls, like Putnam 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 Putnam 
County Volunteer Fire Department deserve recognition: Keith Barber, 
John Barrow, Tony Beaty, Gene Bilbrey, Daryl Blair, Jason Bohannon, 
Devin Brown, Adam Brown, Roger Brown, Tom Brown, Brian Burgess, Tim 
Burton, Marshall Cox, Carol Dempsay, Josh Dempsay, Charles Doss, Chris 
Edgerton, Derrick Edwards, Brent Emery, Timothy Gann, Daniel Harris, 
Jeff Hicks, Daniel Hodge, Shawn Hotsinpiller, Grant Hubbel, Darrell 
Jennings, Jason Jennings, Jason Jones, Mike Keith, Jim Knight, Richard 
Lynch, Lonette Marcus, Jeff Matheney, Tom McClatchie, Marvin 
Montgomery, Jeremy Morris, John Mullin, Jeremy Nash, Michael Norris, 
David Phy, Joel Qualls, Danny Randolph, Fred Ray, Ray Rowland, Jason 
Scott, John Sisco, Brandon Smith, Daniel Snyder, Tony Stamps, Troy 
Tayse, Tony Waters, Matt White, Tony Williams, Josh Womack, Shandreah 
Womack and Zack Womack.

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