[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JONA OLSSON

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Jona Olsson, 
fire chief of the Latir Volunteer Fire Department located near Questa, 
NM. Olsson was recently honored as the 2012 Volunteer Fire Chief of the 
Year by Fire Chief for her tireless work at the Latir Volunteer Fire 
Department and her efforts to increase diversity in the local fire 
service. She was honored on August 3, 2012, during the opening session 
of the International Association of Fire Chiefs' Fire-Rescue 
International Conference and Exhibition in Denver, CO.
  After moving to New Mexico in 1999, Olsson was recruited to join the 
Latir Volunteer Fire Department. She quickly became integrated in the 
fire department, rising through the ranks, serving as a training 
officer, deputy chief, and eventually fire and EMS chief for the 
department in 2006. Olsson has facilitated training to individual 
departments and fire conferences across North America, as well as the 
United Kingdom.
  During tough economic times, Olsson and other volunteers have 
continued to expand the fire department, increasing training hours and 
the number of qualified volunteers. All 18 of Latir's volunteer 
firefighters are structure trained, 13 are qualified with wildland Red 
Cards, and nine have EMS licenses. The Latir Volunteer Fire Department 
also has an active junior firefighter program. In addition, the fire 
department recently built a new addition to the fire station and 
purchased another fire engine.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Jona Olsson and the 
excellent work of the Latir Volunteer Fire Department. The dedication 
of Olsson and the community volunteers helps ensure the delivery of 
vital services to New Mexico residents.

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