[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE MESA FIRE DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEER CORPS ON RECEIVING 
                   THE FIRE CORPS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

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                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Mesa 
Fire Department Volunteer Corps for winning the 2009 Award of 
Excellence. Sponsored by the International Fire Service Training 
Association, this award recognizes the department's outstanding 
performance in delivering fire and emergency services.
  The Mesa Fire Department created the Volunteer Corps in 1998 in order 
to better connect residents to vital community services after 
recognizing a gap in their own service. After emergency personnel 
responded to an initial 9-1-1 call and left the scene, residents were 
often unaware of further resources available to them. What began as a 
small cadre of 10 committed volunteers has since grown into a far-
reaching program of 130 volunteers responding to over 3,800 calls every 
year.
  The Volunteer Corps is made up of several programs which provide 
services such as emergency scene transport, grief support, and home 
safety inspections. In 2008, the Corps provided 29,000 hours of service 
and saved the community $585,599.
  Particularly during these tough economic times, it is heartening to 
see so many members of our community devoting their time and energy 
toward serving one another. I think these volunteers should be proud of 
what they have accomplished, and know that we are all grateful for 
their service.

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