[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 131 (Friday, August 3, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF ROBERT ``RED'' McKEON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2018

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reflect on the life of the 
legendary Robert ``Red'' McKeon, Chief of Occum Volunteer Fire 
Department in Norwich, CT. Red passed away in March, and the village 
has felt his loss deeply. His life's work was improving fire and 
emergency services anywhere he could. He was an institution in his own 
right and I'd like to take a moment to reflect on his life of service 
at the local, state, and national level.
  Red McKeon was born in Putnam, CT and was a U.S. Army veteran who 
served in the Korean War. He joined the Occum Volunteer Fire Department 
in 1944, and in 1960, he became chief--a position he held for 34 years. 
During his tenure, Red was an innovator and he established an ambulance 
service at his station which was one of the first volunteer operations 
in Connecticut to have one. He also pushed for the creation of a 
pension system for Norwich volunteer firefighters. This benefit has 
been imitated by many volunteer departments as an effective tool to 
recruit and retain volunteers. After his retirement he made himself 
available to offer advice to the next generation of community leaders. 
He even channeled his energy and newfound spare time into the 
development of a neighborhood park that was ultimately named in his 
honor.
  Red's activism went beyond his hometown. He became one of the first 
certified EMTs in the state and he lobbied for stronger EMT training 
criteria across Connecticut. He was also a member of the Connecticut 
State Fireman's Association, serving briefly as president and 
maintaining a position as treasurer for 20 years. In 2009, he became a 
member of the first class of honorees inducted into the association's 
hall of fame.
  Red's leadership extended just as far on the national stage as it did 
at home. He and his team worked with the Center for Disease Control to 
certify the development of training for EMT and MRT personnel which was 
then implemented nationally. He joined forces with the CDC once more to 
develop OSHA training and guidelines pertaining to AIDS. He also helped 
create the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program as well as the 
National Volunteer Fire Council on which he served as chairman from 
1991 to 1995. He was awarded the council's E. James Monihan Director 
Award for achievements that exemplify outstanding performance and have 
gone above normal expectations.
  On a personal note, when I was first elected to Congress in 2006, Red 
was a frequent visitor to my district office and was an invaluable 
source of advice and help on Department of Homeland Security Programs 
such as the Assistance to Firefighters Grant that has benefitted small 
departments all across eastern Connecticut. He was always quick with a 
smile and corny jokes for me and my staff and we welcomed his visits 
over the years.
  Red, from the little village of Occum, led a remarkable life, 
representing the United States at World Federation of Firefighters 
conferences all over the world. He even had audiences with multiple 
high-level dignitaries including President George H.W. Bush and Vice 
President Dan Quayle, then First Lady Hillary Clinton, and even Pope 
Pius XII and Pope John Paul.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in honoring the 
memory of Red McKeon. He was a shining example of what it means to be a 
citizen-servant and Occum will not be the same without him.

                          ____________________