[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT FALLS VOLUNTEER FIRE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 75th Anniversary of 
the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department in Great Falls, Virginia. 
Established in 1942 and originally named the Forestville Volunteer Fire 
Department, the Department formed as an auxiliary to the McLean Fire 
Department to enhance Virginia's domestic readiness during World War 
II. The original membership of 29 volunteer firefighters has doubled, 
and the department now includes paid ranks, operational members, and 
administrative members, and today is a fixture of the Great Falls 
community.
  Through exemplary leadership, community support, and working in 
coordination with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, the 
Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department has experienced immense growth 
since its inception in 1942. Originally, the Department only had a 
small barn, a single 1942 Chevrolet truck with a 500 gallon tank, and 
29 volunteer members. But over the years the department expanded, and 
in 1961 the department moved to its current location to accommodate the 
additional firefighters and the overnight staff. After recent 
renovations, the department reopened their current station in 2011, and 
this state of the art facility is certified as a Leadership in Energy 
and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold building for its use of green 
technologies, making it the first of its kind among Fairfax County 
Government Buildings. The once one-truck department now has five 
emergency vehicles and was the first Fairfax County Fire and Rescue 
Station to have four-wheel drive ambulances. And today there are 22 
career firefighters on duty 24/7, and 40 volunteer members, serving in 
both operational and administrative roles.
  In addition to their efforts to keep our community safe, the Great 
Falls Volunteer Fire Department provides support at community events 
all over Fairfax County, including parades, festivals, and fundraisers, 
and throughout the years, the Great Falls community and its leaders 
have offered continuous assistance to the Department.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the Great 
Falls Volunteer Fire Department for their years of selfless service and 
heroism and to again congratulate them on this historic milestone. I 
would like to personally express my gratitude to the men and women who 
selflessly put themselves in dangerous positions on behalf of their 
neighbors, friends, and community, and I wish them all the best in 
their future endeavors.

                          ____________________