[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 180 (Friday, December 11, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF THE NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT AT PICATINNY ARSENAL

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2015

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Picatinny Arsenal on opening a renovated, historic firehouse on the 
military installation.
  Picatinny Arsenal, located Morris County, New Jersey, has been a 
leader in developing cutting edge guns and ammunition for all branches 
of the United States Armed Forces since its founding as a powder depot 
in 1880. Home to over 6,000 employees including civilians, military 
personnel, and contractors, Picatinny Arsenal's portfolio comprises 
ninety percent of the Army's lethality and all conventional ammunition 
for joint warfighters.
  Building 3316, home of a new fire department, was originally built in 
1903 as a Dutch-colonial structure. Before serving as a fire house it 
was a horse stable, and later a garage for the Lake Denmark Naval 
Ammunition Depot. By 1945 the building was converted to a dormitory and 
fire department for the Navy. In 1962 Army firefighters moved into the 
building, and it remained a fire headquarters until 2009. In 2010 the 
building was repurposed to serve as an outdoor recreation facility. Now 
after renovations, the fire department is moving back in, and creating 
a third fire department for the installation.
  The building was selected as a location for a new fire department 
after the Fire Chief's assessment showed a need for a new department to 
better serve all three fire zones. The creation of this department has 
resulted in the hiring of 16 new firefighters. Many surrounding towns 
rely on the fire services provided by the arsenal for mutual aid. Due 
to the dangerous mission of Picatinny Arsenal, all firefighters are 
trained in a variety of situations including medical response, 
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear situations. The opening 
of this building will help the Picatinny Fire Department to better 
serve its community.
  First responders are the backbone of our communities, and Picatinny 
is lucky to have such a well-trained fire department at its disposal. 
While we all hope the fire department does not see too much action, at 
least we all know they are ready for every crisis.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking and recognizing the Picatinny 
Arsenal Fire Department and its firefighters for their dedicated 
service, and wish them continued success with their new department.

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