[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN APPRECIATION OF SACRAMENTO AREA FIREFIGHTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2007

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the men and 
women of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and the Sacramento 
City Fire Department that responded to the southern California fires. 
The devastating fires burned tens of thousands of acres over the course 
of the last 2 months. More than 20 local firefighters from Sacramento 
courageously worked to end these wild fires. I ask all my colleagues to 
join me in honoring and thanking some of our Nation's finest 
firefighters.
  On October 20, 2007 the first of 15 fires began as a ranch fire in 
Los Angeles County's Angeles National Forest. The Santa Ana air stream 
caused wind speeds up to 100 miles per hour, combined with 95-degree 
temperatures. The combined wind, hot temperature, and severe drought 
conditions in southern California spread the fire across hundreds of 
thousands of acres. Over a 7 day period, nine people were killed, and 
at least 1 million people were evacuated. Thousands of businesses, 
homes, and structures were destroyed. To date the fire has caused more 
than $1 billion dollars in damage across San Diego, Orange, San 
Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and Santa Barbara Counties.
  The tireless work of these men and women was invaluable as they saved 
lives and property throughout the southern California region. The crews 
are a reflection of the positive contributions and selfless actions of 
our local firefighters. They responded to fires such as the ferocious 
Witch Creek Fire in Ramona, where crews grappled with flames more than 
70 feet high and were exposed to conditions that included 70 mile per 
hour wind speeds. The horrific conditions were so dangerous that doors 
flew off hinges from burning structures. At times, pieces of burning 
roofs were carried by the winds, which forced firefighters to take 
cover. Crews worked around the clock for many days with as little as 30 
minutes of rest. Their invaluable efforts helped save countless 
structures and homes that were in the line of fire.
  In response to the crisis, Sacramento City Fire Department deployed 
Battalion Chief Craig Wiedenhoeft, Battalion Chief Niko King, Battalion 
Chief Jay Glass, Captain James Doucette, Captain Scott Visser, Engineer 
Sean Dail, Engineer Tom Malim, Firefighter Greg Murdock, Firefighter 
Dave Stork, and Firefighter Kyle Anderson.
  Sacramento Metro Fire Department also deployed more than 40 
firefighters. They included Deputy Chief Geoff Miller, Captain Darren 
Taylor, Captain Scott D. Cockrum, Captain Scott McKenney, Captain 
Michael Hazlett, Battalion Chief Richard Andersen, Captain James Vell, 
Engineer Jack Costello, Captain David B. Durham, Captain George E. 
Kruger, Jr., Engineer Phillip Allen, Engineer Tracey Valentine, 
Firefighter Ty J. Bailey, Firefighter Erik R. Rubalcava, Firefighter 
John Schanzenbach, Firefighter Kyle D. Thomas, Captain Steven C. 
Campbell, Captain Kiley Keeley, Engineer Jeffrey Harris, Engineer Brian 
M. Swindler, Firefighter Brad Reynolds, Firefighter Aaron S. Wham, 
Firefighter Tim J. Eisert, Firefighter Kenneth J. Harrington, Battalion 
Chief John Wagner, Battalion Chief Barry A. Flores, Captain Michael D. 
Veilleux, Captain William V. Lobsitz, Captain Christian Pebbles, 
Captain John P. Murakami, Captain Randolph E. Gross, Engineer Russell 
Powell, Engineer Charles E. Lynch, Engineer Ryan L. Maerklen, Engineer 
Maurice D. Johnson, Engineer Mark T. Stewart, Firefighter Phillip J. 
Hart, Firefighter Kevin R. Henson, Firefighter Chris A. Manos, 
Firefighter Carl F. Jewell, and Firefighter Mark T. Dunne.

  Each of these brave men and women left their families and loved ones 
in Sacramento to place their own life on the line to save their fellow 
citizens from the horrific southern California wildfires. For their 
efforts, we all owe them our deepest appreciation. I am truly honored 
to represent such fine individuals and fire departments in Congress. 
Once again, I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking them for their 
unwavering dedication to our country during this difficult time.

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