[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 161 (Friday, September 28, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING GAINESBORO FIRE AND RESCUE COMPANY'S 60 YEARS OF SERVICE TO 
                             THE COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 28, 2018

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, in 1958, plans for a fire department in 
Gainesboro began to take shape, with the help and direction of the 
Gainesboro Ruritan Club. Red Williamson was elected the first Fire 
Chief of Gainesboro and the purchase of a fire truck took place with 
financial help from the Clearbrook Fire Company and Shade Equipment 
Company, which donated their facilities to install the tank and pumps. 
The truck was completed and put in service following the first Yard 
Party in June, 1958.
  IN March, 1958, the land on which the Gainesboro Fire Company exists 
was purchased for the sum of $1,200. The firehouse was built by members 
of the Gainesboro Fire Company and the larger Gainesboro community, and 
because of their extraordinary generosity of time, energy and money, 
the entire firehouse was built in one short year, between July, 1958 
and July, 1959.
  The history of the call volume is an indication of the significant 
growth in the work of the Gainesboro Fire Company. In 1958, there were 
a total of 11 fire runs, the first being a woods fire in Cross Junction 
that the Gore Fire Company assisted with. Five years later, in 1963, 
there were 65 runs and by 2017, there were over 1,000 runs. This 
increased demand on the fire company's services has necessarily 
involved a significant increase in operational staff, which now amounts 
to 65 certified firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians and 
paramedics.
  With an operating budget of nearly $300,000, approximately $130,000 
of it needs to be raised by the members of the Gainesboro Fire Company 
and its Ladies Auxiliary, which was formed in November, 1958. As a 
resilient, self-sustaining organization, the fire company has put on 
one type of fundraiser or another almost every month for the past 60 
years, adding up to approximately 700 fundraisers during the time of 
the fire company's existence.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that I speak for all the people of the 10th 
Congressional District of Virginia in expressing our deep gratitude to 
our community heroes--our firefighters and emergency medical personnel, 
along with our law enforcement officers, who are willing to face any 
situation, no matter how grave or dangerous, to help us in our times of 
greatest desperation and need. I ask that you and our colleagues join 
me in thanking Chief Don Jackson and the community heroes of Gainesboro 
Fire and Rescue Company who, for 60 years, have courageously stepped 
forward to assist the residents of their community, and to also thank 
the ladies' auxiliary and other leaders of the Gainesboro community, 
who have so generously supported the ongoing work of their community 
heroes.

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