[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 151 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE ROUGH AND READY FIRE STATION

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                          HON. TOM McCLINTOCK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2010

  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
groundbreaking for the Rough and Ready Fire Station in Nevada County, 
California.
  Since its founding in 1963, the Rough and Ready Fire Department has 
served to protect the homes and businesses in their community. In the 
early years, the department consisted of a phone-tree-style call list 
that would spring into action when needed, using whatever assortment of 
equipment the group could afford to buy, maintain and house in local 
barns. In 1970, the current fire station was constructed on Rough and 
Ready Road to house two fire engines and serve as the headquarters for 
the 16 volunteer fire fighters. As the town continued to grow, so did 
its need for fire protection and the department acquired two additional 
engines, but with room in the station to house only two vehicles. As a 
result, the department went back to housing some fire engines in barns, 
including the Davison Barn, where chickens began roosting in the engine 
and going on fire calls.
  As the years wore on, it became increasingly clear that the fire 
station on Rough and Ready Road would not be able to meet the needs of 
the city indefinitely. Without a training area large enough to 
accommodate all firefighters, lacking sleeping quarters or any space to 
service vehicles, an absence of ventilation, air conditioning and 
insulation, and a hopelessly leaky roof, the need to build a new 
facility was more than evident. Beginning in 1995, the department saved 
a little money each year towards a new station and by 2004 the land had 
been acquired and the department officers were finalizing design plans. 
Finally, in 2009, having raised just under one million dollars through 
department savings and private donations, Rough and Ready secured a 
federal matching grant to allow for construction to move forward. At 
over 8000 square feet and complete with five engine bays, living 
quarters and up-to-date infrastructure, the new station will greatly 
increase the department's capacity to serve the 2,200 citizens in their 
immediate district and the over 52,000 people in the surrounding area.
  Madam Speaker, it is impossible to overestimate the necessity of fire 
protection or to measure to countless contributions these firefighters 
make to our community. It is has been my privilege to work with the 
Rough and Ready Fire Department in competing for a merit-based federal 
grant and it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the city 
of Rough and Ready to celebrate this joyous occasion.

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