[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 29, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BURKE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 29, 2018

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Burke Volunteer 
Fire and Rescue Department on its 70th anniversary, and to thank its 
volunteers for filling an essential role in keeping our community safe.
  The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department was founded in January 
1948, and for seven decades it has provided lifesaving fire suppression 
and prevention, as well as emergency medical and rescue services to the 
residents of Burke and the surrounding communities. It also provides, 
houses, and maintains firefighting and emergency medical equipment, and 
provides opportunities for professional growth and development for the 
membership, as well as maintains and fosters a strong viable 
organization.
  As one of the county's most active volunteer fire and rescue 
departments, the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department works in 
cooperation with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department to serve 
the community. During FY17, units from the BVFRD were dispatched 5,485 
times responding to 3,722 incidents.
  I am honored to recognize the entire BVFRD on this momentous 
anniversary, as well as the dedicated men and women who have 
volunteered for extra duty as officers or as members of the board of 
directors. It is my honor to include in the Record the names of the 
following individuals.


                           Board of Directors

  Vice-President--Tonya McCreary
  Secretary--Amy Gold
  Treasurer--Earl Roberts
  Directors--Larry Bocknek, Matthew Bryant, Kenneth Senn


                                Officers

  Deputy Chief: Tina Godfrey, John Hudak
  Captain II: Melissa Ashby, Larry Bocknek, Keith O'Connor
  Lieutenant: Emily Fisher, Kevin Grottle, Shaun Kurry
  Sergeant: Jennifer Babic, Peter Hamilton
  Team Leader/ Asst. EMS Officer: Megan Bush
  Team Leader: Paul Stracke
  Asst. Staffing Officer: Caitlin Curran
  Chaplain: Harry Chelpon
  In addition to the men and women who have generously assumed the 
responsibilities of serving as an Officer or a member of the Board of 
Directors, the Burke Volunteer Fire Department is also presenting 
awards to the following individuals in recognition of their exemplary 
service during the last year:


                                 Awards

  Rookie of the Year: Thales Dus
  Firefighter of the Year: FF Caitlin Curran
  EMS Provider of the Year: EMT Blaine Ries
  Officer of the Year: Captain II Melissa Ashby
  Administrative Member of the Year: Charlene Murphy
  Career Member of the Year: FCFRD Captain II Mike Istvan
  Team Award: FCFRD Station 14 A, B, and C Shifts
  Partnership Award: Kevin Grottle
  Chief's and President's Award: Amy Gold
  Founders Award: Tina Godfrey
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
department for an incredible seventy years of service, and in thanking 
all of the brave volunteers who do not hesitate to drop everything when 
the community calls in need of help. To all of these men and women who 
put themselves in harm's way to protect our residents I say: ``Stay 
safe.''

                          ____________________