[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF DAN PACKER, CHIEF OF THE EAST PIERCE 
                            FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of 
Dan Packer, chief of the East Pierce Fire Department, who recently died 
in the line of duty as he was helping to save lives and property from 
the wildfires burning in northern California. Dan was a veteran 
firefighter, respected leader, wildfire expert, as well as a father and 
a friend to many. His service to our community and his friendship will 
be sorely missed.
  Originally from Montana, Dan was an avid rodeo bull rider and first 
joined the fire service in Burien, Washington, in 1981. He began 
serving as chief of the fire department in Bonney Lake in 1995 and was 
instrumental in joining several jurisdictions into an organization now 
known as the East Pierce Fire District. Today, East Pierce serves over 
75,000 citizens across nearly 150 square miles with the support of more 
than 100 firefighters and staff members and 40 volunteers. Dan Packer 
also served as a president of the Washington Fire Chiefs.
  As a part of a Washington State-based incident response team, Chief 
Packer was called to service to respond to wildfires that have affected 
more than 600 acres of Siskiyou County in northern California. In this 
role, he combated the Panther Fire and was preparing to assume the 
duties of the division supervisor for time--battling the blazes in the 
Klamath National Forest near the town of Happy Camp. Reports indicate 
that on Saturday, July 26, 2008, while scouting the fire, flames 
suddenly overcame Chief Packer and, tragically, he was not able to 
escape.
  I extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the East Pierce Fire 
Department, the many firefighters who had the honor of serving at Dan 
Packer's side in both California and Washington State, and particularly 
to his wife, four daughters, two grandchildren, and his mother in this 
time of terrible grief and loss.

                          ____________________