[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 129 (Monday, September 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO THOMAS PELAIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 2009

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention 
the work of an outstanding individual, Thomas Pelaia, who will be 
recognized by the John I. Crecco Foundation with its Public Safety 
Award on September 11, 2009 for his many years of dedicated service to 
keeping our communities safe.
  It is only fitting that he be honored in this, the permanent record 
of the greatest democracy ever known, because he is the embodiment of 
the patriotism and community service that make our nation great.
  Thomas Pelaia joined the Bloomfield Fire Department on May 13, 1980. 
After serving as a line fireman, he was transferred to the Fire 
Prevention Bureau where he served as an Inspector, Senior Inspector, 
and now as the Fire Official who is the Chief Inspector of Fire 
Prevention. During his tenure there, he has worked to make Bloomfield 
one of the safest communities in the nation. In 1999, he partnered with 
the Bloomfield Board of Education in having fire sprinklers installed 
in major school construction projects. To date, three of the eight 
elementary schools and the high school are fully equipped with 
sprinkler systems; many of the other schools are partially equipped.
  Tom has been the Deputy Essex County Fire Mutual Aid Coordinator 
since 1994. On January 19, 2000 he organized the mutual aid response to 
the devastating fire at Seton Hall University. Shortly after the fire, 
Tom worked closely with Bloomfield College to have sprinklers installed 
throughout all of the dormitories, even before legislation was passed 
to mandate them. Due to his efforts in protecting these schools, he was 
honored as Fire Protection Inspector of the Year in May 2001 by the New 
Jersey State Fire Prevention and Protection Association and the New 
Jersey State Department of Community Affairs. Also as Fire Coordinator, 
he organized Essex County's response to New York City after the tragic 
events of eight years ago when the September 11, 2001 attacks took 
place. He organized the response of 25 Essex County fire companies to 
protect the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn on September 12 and 
13, 2001.
  Tom was an integral part of the accreditation team that worked to 
have the Bloomfield Fire Department receive International 
Accreditation. It is the first in New Jersey and the first career Fire 
Department in the northeast to receive this prestigious recognition 
which was awarded in March of this year. Tom has been an active member 
of many organizations throughout the years. He has served as Bloomfield 
FMBA Local 19 Treasurer, Vice President, President, and Executive 
Delegate for over 15 years. He also served the New Jersey State FMBA as 
a District Vice President and Legislative Committeeman.
  Tom currently serves as a Fire Advisor to the Bloomfield Volunteer 
Emergency Squad. He is the Secretary of the Bloomfield Firemen's Relief 
Association and is the Essex County Legislative Committeeman for the 
New Jersey State Fireman's Association. As a 35 year member of the Bell 
and Siren Club, Inc., he is the Chairman of its Essex Committee and the 
Vice President of the International Convention which will be hosted in 
New Jersey in 2011. He is also an active member of the Essex County 
Fire Prevention Association and the Essex County Fire Chief's 
Association. Tom is also a member of Bloomfield UNICO. He resides in 
Livingston, New Jersey, with his wife Maria and his niece Danielle.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to being able to highlight the 
achievements of great Americans like Thomas Pelaia.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Thomas's family 
and friends, everyone at the John I. Crecco Foundation, and me in 
recognizing the outstanding contributions of Thomas Pelaia to his 
community.

                          ____________________