[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 62 (Thursday, April 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E571-E572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN ULMSCHNEIDER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DONNA F. EDWARDS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2016

  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today 
to pay tribute to a fallen Maryland firefighter and recognize his 
colleague who is recovering from severe injuries. As the funeral and 
interment of this esteemed firefighter occurred yesterday, I want to 
remember the legacy he leaves behind.
  Prince George's County firefighter and paramedic (FF/Medic) John 
Ernest Ulmschneider was responding to a ``check on welfare'' call that 
took a turn for the worse. Known as ``Skillet,'' this brave firefighter 
died tragically in the line of duty on Friday, April 15, as a result of 
a shooting in Temple Hills, Maryland.
  Line-of-duty deaths are always difficult to bear. A firefighter or 
another first responder leaves their home, their station, or their 
vehicle to do their job of public service, and their loved one, 
coworker, or partner expects to see them return. My heart breaks for 
John's loved ones and for the tight-knit community that is the Prince 
George's County Fire and EMS Department.
  The details of FF/Medic Ulmschneider's death are heartbreaking. He, 
fellow firefighter Kevin Swain of the Morningside Volunteer Fire 
Department, and other first responders arrived at a residence after a 
relative had contacted them worried about the health of a family 
member. They knocked on the door a few times and announced themselves 
without receiving a response. With the concern of a potential health 
emergency in mind, they tried to enter the home by breaking down the 
door.
  It was a fateful decision. As the firefighters entered the home, the 
person inside fired a weapon, hitting FF/Medic Ulmschneider and FF 
Swain. Both firefighters were severely injured, FF/Medic Ulmschneider 
fatally, despite the rapid and capable care they received. On behalf of 
the citizens of Maryland's Fourth Congressional District, I would like 
to recognize the paramedics and the doctors and nurses for their 
compassionate care and treatment of these firefighters.
  I would like to remember the legacy FF/Medic Ulmschneider leaves 
behind. He was born in Baltimore and graduated from Surrattsville High 
School in Clinton, Maryland in 1997. Friends called him ``Skillet'' 
because his head was as tough as a cast iron skillet.
  FF/Medic Ulmschneider had been a member of the Prince George's County 
Fire Department for 13 years. He was married to Dawn and a proud and 
doting father to Abigail. One colleague of his remembers him as a 
particularly caring person who went the extra mile and on calls would 
make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for those patients who had low-
blood sugar or were simply panicked. Another coworker recalled that FF/
Medic Ulmschneider had two speeds, ``fast and faster.''
  Mr. Speaker, I want to send my appreciation to these individual 
firefighters and all their colleagues for their relentless dedication 
to public service. Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department and 
firefighters across this country are committed every day to keep our 
communities safe by putting their own lives at risk

[[Page E572]]

during times of our greatest need. They each have made the ultimate 
contribution to our communities--the contribution of personal sacrifice 
to ensure our safety and well-being. These men and women rightfully are 
our heroes.
  As a dedicated firefighter, husband, father, and human being, 
Firefighter and Paramedic John Ulmschneider deserves all of the honor 
and praise this Chamber can bestow upon him. On behalf of the 4th 
Congressional District and this House, I extend my sincerest gratitude 
and condolences to his wife Dawn and daughter Abigail; Cheryl 
Ulmschneider, his mother; his entire family; friends; Prince George's 
County Fire Chief Marc Bashoor; the entire Department; and the Prince 
George's County Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics Association 
International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1619.

                          ____________________