[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 9, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               HIGH FIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 9, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I salute the Houston Fire 
Department and Houston City Councilmember Brenda Stardig for their 
rescue efforts during Hurricane Harvey.
   In a move that can only be described as divine intervention, HFD's 
new high water rescue vehicle was delivered only a few days before one 
of Texas's most devastating storms rocked the state and dumped more 
than 50 inches of rain in the Houston area. When Councilmember Stardig 
used her district's discretionary funds to purchase the high water 
rescue vehicle for HFD she knew it was a much needed addition to the 
city's rescue fleet; she just didn't know how timely her purchase would 
be.
   Called the ``High Five'' because it is docked at HFD Station 5 in my 
congressional district, HFD's high water rescue vehicle was the only 
high water rescue vehicle available exclusively to the city of Houston 
during the hurricane. The ``High Five'' is a heavy duty military 
vehicle that can carry 15 people and two operators. Its electronics and 
fuel system are sealed, giving it the ability to transport in more than 
four feet of water.
   Other vehicles like city garbage trucks were used for rescues, but 
this vehicle is unique because it is designed not only to go through 
high water but to also rescue people easily. For example, it has a lift 
on it to assist people in getting on board. Mr. Speaker, even my jeep 
with its lift kit is no match for what this vehicle can do. It was 
estimated that in one day, over 400 people were rescued with this truck 
and possibly 1,000 people total.
   Since the storm, HFD has received a surge of donations to continue 
to upgrade their rescue fleet. Councilmember Stardig and the 
Firefighters Foundation of Houston recently raised more than $52,000--
enough for two additional rescue boats. Since Harvey, private donors 
like HEB and Metro National have stepped up to help fund two additional 
high water rescue vehicles.
   Mr. Speaker, much of my district and the Houston area are still 
reeling from Harvey's damage. Much work remains to be done. It is 
heroes like Assistant Chief Ruy Lozano who oversees the HFD rescue 
fleet, HFD Chief Sam Pena, and Houston City Councilmember Brenda 
Stardig who rose up during his catastrophe to save lives. Many of us 
will remember their contributions to our community during this crisis. 
We always say, when Houstonians see a need they step up. Sometimes it's 
into a 10-foot high water rescue vehicle.
   And that's just the way it is.

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