[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1010-E1011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO RICHIE CRISAFULLI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNY REHBERG

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 1, 2011

  Mr. REHBERG. Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute today to an act of heroism.
  In Glendive, Montana, just about as far east as the state stretches, 
a young woman is alive today, just as all the hopes and dreams for her 
future still are, because a firefighter by the name of Richie 
Crisafulli risked his life to save hers.
  Richie Crisafulli is the Assistant Fire Chief for the West Glendive 
Fire Department, but he is more than a firefighter. He is a father, a 
husband, an EMT, a coach, and a community leader.
  In the early morning hours of March 25th, a fire broke out in the 
home of a Glendive family. Smoke alarms went off and three of the four 
family members home at the time made it outside. But a teen girl lay 
sleeping in a basement bedroom.
  Assistant Chief Crisafulli, who lived a few blocks away from the 
fire, heard the call come in, and though he had no rescue gear, 
responded immediately.
  When Crisafulli arrived the family directed him to the room where the 
young woman was still inside. Richie attempted to enter the house, but 
the smoke from a fire in the laundry room was overwhelming without the 
proper equipment and he was forced to retreat.
  Undeterred, and inspired by an idea from another one of Montana's 
finest, Dawson County Sheriff Deputy Ross Canen, who had just arrived 
at the scene, Crisafulli took Canen's stocking cap, filled it with 
snow, covered his mouth and nose with it and headed back inside. The 
make-shift respirator worked.

[[Page E1011]]

Crisafulli located the girl, and led her through the blazing, smoke-
filled home to safety.
  West Glendive Fire Chief Tim Mort had this to say: ``He's an absolute 
hero. There is little doubt in my mind that young woman is alive today 
because of the actions of Richie Crisafulli.''
  To Richie Crisafulli's credit, he has remained humble in the face of 
the ensuing praise, saying the story was not about him, but more about 
the department and the people he both serves and serves with: ``My 
grandfather was a part of this fire department from the beginning. I'm 
proud to be able to follow in my family's footsteps and honored to 
serve with my fellow firefighters. If it would have been one of my four 
kids, I'm sure someone else would have done the same.''
  Fearless in response and humble in praise--Richie Crisafulli went 
above and beyond the call of duty and I applaud him today. May he and 
his family be blessed, just as I know the grateful family of the young 
woman he rescued are, now that their daughter and sister is alive today 
to love and be loved by her family and friends.

                          ____________________