[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF FIRE CHIEF KENNETH BRISCOE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARK MEADOWS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 2018

  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief Kenneth 
Briscoe of Caldwell County, North Carolina. On behalf of the people of 
Lenoir, I congratulate Chief Briscoe on his retirement and thank him 
for 23 years of service to Caldwell County, and 45 years of service to 
North Carolina.
  Chief Briscoe began his career in 1973 as a volunteer firefighter in 
Hudson, North Carolina. He joined the Lenoir Fire Department as a paid 
firefighter in 1975 and was promoted to Captain in 1983. Chief Briscoe 
joined the North Carolina Department of Insurance in 1984 and was made 
the Deputy Director of the North Carolina Department of Insurance and 
the Fire and Rescue Commission. Chief Briscoe left the North Carolina 
Department of Insurance in 2004 to become the Chief of the Lenoir Fire 
Department.
  During his career, Chief Briscoe has received many awards and honors 
for his exceptional service. In 2007, Chief Briscoe was selected 
Fireman of the Year by the North Carolina State Fireman's Association 
and was also recognized by the North Carolina State Senate for his 
outstanding service to North Carolina and the City of Lenoir. Chief 
Briscoe has been recognized by this Congress on three separate 
occasions for his service to the people of Lenoir and the State of 
North Carolina. In 2011, Chief Briscoe was awarded the National Chief 
Fire Officer designation and was made a member of the Institution of 
Fire Engineers. Furthermore, Chief Briscoe has attained many 
certifications through the International Fire Service Accreditation 
Congress.
  Chief Briscoe was the first member of the North Carolina Association 
of Fire Chiefs to serve as President and Past President for two terms. 
As President of the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs, he 
represented over 1,500 fire chiefs and 45,000 firefighters. Chief 
Briscoe has also served as the Vice-Chairman of the North Carolina Fire 
and Rescue Commission. In 2014, Chief Briscoe was aptly named Western 
North Carolina Fire Officer of the Year. Western North Carolina is 
proud to have such an accomplished and caring public servant. Chief 
Briscoe is married to his wife, Paula, and they have one son, Joe.
  Chief Briscoe's long list of awards and accomplishments does not 
paint the full-picture of the meaningful impact he has made on Caldwell 
County and the State of North Carolina. For his service to Western 
North Carolina, I am honored to express the gratitude and best wishes 
of the people of North Carolina to Chief Briscoe on his retirement.

                          ____________________