[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 193 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING BIG SUR FIRE CHIEF MARTHA KARSTENS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2018

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extensive 
contributions made by Big Sur Fire Chief Martha Karstens to the well-
being and prosperity of our community on the central coast of 
California. Chief Karstens has been an invaluable asset to the Big Sur 
community, a rural area of my District adjacent to historic Highway 1 
on the California coast. I know that every Big Sur resident can attest 
to Chief Karsten's character, integrity, and devotion to protecting and 
serving her community.
  Residents of Big Sur have historically experienced a lack of access 
to basic services due to the community's rural location. Chief Karstens 
sought to fix this, and in 1976, enrolled in the first Emergency 
Medical Technician (EMT) class ever offered in Big Sur, eventually 
becoming involved with the American Red Cross' Central Coast Chapter as 
a volunteer ambulance emergency responder. In 1979, Chief Karstens 
became president of the Red Cross Big Sur Ambulance, the only emergency 
first response service stationed in Big Sur at the time. Chief Karstens 
also served on the Board of the Red Cross, Carmel Chapter, as a 
representative of the Big Sur community. Chief Karstens continued as 
the Big Sur Ambulance President until 1991, when Monterey County funded 
a full-time, paid ambulance crew for the Big Sur community.
  Following fourteen years of service with the Big Sur Ambulance, Chief 
Karstens joined the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, where she has 
served for the last twenty-eight years. She was named the Brigade's 
first Medical Battalion Chief in 1991 and was instrumental in 
developing the Brigade's medical first responder and EMT mission. In 
1994, Chief Karstens transitioned into an administrative role for the 
Brigade and was asked to become a Duty Officer, requiring her to 
respond to and direct responses for a wide range of incidents. 
Following further trainings and certifications in fire safety and 
emergency response, Chief Karstens was voted in as the Administrative 
Assistant Chief of the Brigade and recognized as Volunteer Firefighter 
of the Year in 2003. In 2009, Chief Karstens became the Chief of the 
Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade. During her tenure as Chief, she has 
overseen the organization throughout several devastating fires on the 
Central Coast. These included the Pfeiffer Fire in 2013, where, despite 
losing her own home, Chief Karstens continued serving as Incident 
Commander. She also played a crucial operational role during the 
Soberanes Fire and the coordinated response to the subsequent storms 
that collapsed the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge and stranded hundreds of Big 
Sur residents. Chief Karstens helped to ensure these residents had 
access to food, medicine, and other essential supplies until the bridge 
could be restored several months later.
  Chief Karstens' dedication to her community is evident in her work to 
protect and serve her fellow Big Sur community members over the last 
forty-two years. Throughout this time, she has responded personally to 
thousands of calls and committed thousands of hours of her personal 
time to volunteer in Big Sur. Chief Karstens has proven herself as a 
dedicated first responder and has served her community with steadfast 
commitment at great personal sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating Big Sur Fire Chief Martha 
Karstens on her distinguished service and in wishing her a long and 
healthy retirement.

                          ____________________