[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 149 (Friday, September 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1224-E1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO CHIEF TIM WALL CHAIR OF THE VOLUNTEER AND COMBINATION 
       OFFICERS SECTION INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jeresy

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 7, 2018

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, as the co-chair of the Congressional Fire 
Services Caucus I wish to recognize Timothy S. Wall, who will be 
stepping down as Chair of the Volunteer and Combination Officers 
Section (VCOS) of the International Association Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in 
November at the annual Volunteer and Combination Officers Section's 
Conference in Clearwater, Florida.
  A third-generation firefighter, Chief Wall joined the North Farms 
Volunteer Fire Department in 1979. For the past 20 years, he served as 
the department's chief. Active in civic organizations and public safety 
agencies, Chief Wall became a deputy sheriff of New Haven County in 
1980 and has served as a Connecticut state fire marshal since 2000. In 
addition, he is a former president of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs 
Association and the New England Division of Fire Chief.
  The mission of VCOS is to provide chief officers who manage volunteer 
and combination departments within the fire, rescue, and EMS delivery 
system with information, education, services, and representation to 
enhance their professionalism and capabilities. Chief Wall was elected 
Chair of the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section in 2005. Under 
his leadership, VCOS has been successfully performing its mission.
  Most recently, VCOS published a joint publication with the National 
Volunteer Fire Council on cancer prevention within the fire service, 
which is the most pressing issue in the fire service. Other challenges 
include volunteer recruitment and retention, workplace safety, 
leadership accountability and emergency medical services. VCOS has 
always demonstrated leadership in addressing the emerging issues

[[Page E1225]]

that confront their members--whether it's through publishing reports, 
developing training materials or delivering important messages to our 
elected leaders. These actions require strong leadership, which Chief 
Wall has demonstrated throughout his term as Chair.
  As a co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I extend my 
thanks to Chief Wall for the support he has provided to the Fire Caucus 
throughout the years. He understands the importance of grassroots 
advocacy and has always offered his support to my fellow fire caucus 
co-chairs and me to help us advance fire service legislation through 
Congress.
  President Abraham Lincoln once said, ``Don't worry when you are not 
recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.'' To me, these 
words describe the character of the men and women of our nation's fire 
service. Firefighters perform their mission not for recognition, but 
for a much higher cause: to safeguard the citizens of their 
communities. While Chief Wall has never sought recognition, I would 
like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation for 
his selfless dedication and commitment to public safety. He has 
certainly earned the right to be recognized.

                          ____________________