[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 25 (Friday, February 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING DAVE WOODS AS PUBLIC SAFETY HERO OF THE YEAR

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 8, 2019

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Fire Captain Dave Woods, whom I have named a Public Safety Hero of the 
Year in Contra Costa County, California.
  Mr. Woods was born in Pasadena, California and raised in nearby 
Glendale. In March of 1999 Mr. Woods joined the Contra Costa County 
Fire Protection District and has been heavily involved since. He is 
trained and certified as a Strike Team Leader and Fire Line Paramedic 
to assist on Strike Team assignments. Strike Teams consist of highly 
trained wildland firefighters, who are prepared to respond to wildland 
fires anywhere in the state with little support. They carry enough food 
and supplies to fight fires in the wilderness for multiple days and are 
essential in cutting off fires before they destroy population centers. 
Mr. Woods was assigned as a Strike Team Leader to the Thomas Fire that 
burned much of southern California in December of 2017. Mr. Woods also 
shares his knowledge and skills with others as a Wildland Firefighting 
Instructor.
  Mr. Woods works in Contra Costa County Fire Protection District's 
busiest battalion. However, he does not let the fast pace prohibit his 
development as a leader within the battalion and Fire Protection 
District. For the past twenty years he has spent at the Fire Protection 
District, Mr. Woods has shown unrelenting commitment to serving the 
people of Contra Costa County and protecting our community and state 
from wildfires.
  Madam Speaker, we thank Dave Woods for his dedication. For this 
reason, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

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