[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 62 (Friday, April 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF FIRE CHIEF ANDY JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2012

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a brave and dedicated 
leader, North Richland Hills Fire Chief Andy Jones. Chief Jones has 
spent more than 38 years serving the North Richland Hills Fire 
Department, including 24 years at the command level, and 14 years as 
Fire Chief.
  To help fulfill the growing needs of the community, Chief Jones 
helped add new fire stations, equipment, employees, and programs. By 
improving the department's Insurance Services Office Property 
Protection Classification from a ``4'' to a ``2,'' Chief Jones helped 
lower insurance premiums.
  Under Chief Jones' leadership, the department has received numerous 
awards and honors from the Texas Fire Chiefs Association and the 
International Association of Fire Chiefs. In 2008, The North Richland 
Hills Fire Department won the prestigious Fire Service Award for 
Excellence due to implementation of the life-saving Cardiac 
Catheterization Lab Field Activation Program. The Fire Department was 
presented a $2,000 grant for fire education and prevention programs. 
North Richland Hills' cutting edge efforts to improve heart attack 
treatment times were used by the International Association of Fire 
Chiefs as a model program for other fire departments to follow.
  Chief Jones has led by example with exemplary conduct and dedication 
in serving the public and has been personally recognized on numerous 
occasions. In 2006, The Texas Fire Chief's Association honored him with 
the title of ``Texas Fire Chief of the Year.'' In 2007, he was 
designated as a ``Chief Fire Officer'' from the Commission on 
Professional Credentialing.
  In addition, Chief Jones has continually made an effort to say 
informed and involved in the community. He is currently serving as the 
Texas Municipal League Representative for the Texas Fire Chiefs 
Association. He is also a member of the International Association of 
Fire Chiefs and is the past President of both the Texas Fire Chiefs 
Association and the Tarrant County Fire Chief's Association.
  On May 4, Chief Jones will retire from the North Richland Hills Fire 
Department. Not only has Chief Jones saved lives, he has introduced 
programs to the North Richland Hills Fire Department that will continue 
to save lives long past his retirement. After 14 years as Fire Chief, 
his leadership will be missed. It is my great privilege to recognize 
North Richland Hills Fire Chief Andy Jones for the leadership and 
excellence of his service to the people of North Richland Hills and the 
surrounding communities. I am pleased to recognize Fire Chief Andy 
Jones and am privileged to represent the city of North Richland Hills 
in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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