[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 186 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2524-E2525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE RUTHERFORD COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2007

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the 
members of the Rutherford County Volunteer Fire Department for their 
selfless dedication and bravery in protecting our families, day and 
night.
  The Rutherford County Volunteer Fire Department was established in 
June 1998 to protect the citizens in District 11 of Rutherford County. 
District 11 has a population of 7,340. Currently, the fire department 
has 30 volunteers, 7 officers, and 5 members serving on the board of 
directors.

[[Page E2525]]

  Without volunteer fire halls, like Rutherford 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 
Rutherford County Volunteer Fire Department deserve recognition: Chief 
Craig McBride, Deputy Chief Terry Smith, Asst. Chief Dwajuan Howse, 
Capt. Lance Sutton, Lt. Tim Forsthoff, Lt. Joel Patnode, Brian Morrow, 
Kenny McFarland, Gary Hutchinson, Jeff Irvin, Joshua Parsons, Brad 
Callison, Bobby Canterbury, Markland Holland, Shawn McGoldrick, Sandy 
Smith, Jonathan Parsons, Micheal Bartlett, Jeff Sawyers, Randy Shaw, 
Richard Foran, Stephen Windham, Jared Rigsby, Chris Reid, Eddie Welsh, 
Hunter Fite, Tim Alexander, Chris Sobol, Bob Decker, Jayson Kotter, 
Justin Parker, Kevin Bennison, Daniel George, Justice DeAndrade, 
Benjamin Honeycutt, Justin McCraven, James Storey, Jarrett England, 
Christopher Hayes and Jeffery Turgeon. Board of Directors: Bill Ketron, 
Tim Burns, Dale Maynard, Helen Brown and Janice Howse.

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