[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 60 (Monday, April 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E426-E427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE BURKE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 8, 2019

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Burke Volunteer 
Fire and Rescue Department on the occasion of its 71st Annual 
Installation of Officers Banquet, and to thank its volunteers for 
filling an essential role in keeping our community safe.
  The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department was founded in January 
1948, and for more than 6 decades it has provided lifesaving fire 
suppression/prevention and emergency medical and rescue services to the 
residents of Burke and the surrounding communities. It also provides, 
houses, and maintains firefighting and emergency medical equipment, 
provides opportunities for professional growth and development for the 
membership, and maintains and fosters a strong viable organization.
  As one of the county's most active volunteer fire and rescue 
departments, the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department works in 
cooperation with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department to serve 
the community. In the last year, the Department responded to 3,829 
incidents and provided over 22,000 hours of volunteer service to the 
community. I am honored to recognize the dedicated men and women who 
have volunteered for extra duty as Officers or as members of the Board 
of Directors and to include in the Record their names:
  Board of Directors--President: Ian Dickinson; Vice President: John 
Powers; Secretary: Amy Gold; Treasurer: Patrick Owens; Members at 
Large: Larry Bocknek, Matthew Bryant, Kenneth Senn.
  Officers--Chief: Thomas Warnock; Deputy Chief: Tina Godfrey; Deputy 
Chief: John Hudak; Captain II: Melissa Ashby; Captain II: Larry 
Bockneck; Captain II: Keith O'Connor; Lieutenant: Emily Fincher; 
Lieutenant: Kevin Grottle; Sergeant: Peter Hamilton; Sergeant: Caitlin 
Curran; Chaplain: Harry Chelpon.
  In addition to the men and women who have generously assumed the 
responsibilities of serving as an Officer or a member of the Board of 
Directors, the Burke Volunteer Fire Department is also presenting 
awards to the following individuals in recognition of their exemplary 
service during the last year.

[[Page E427]]

  Officer of the Year: SGT Caitlin Curran
  Administrative Member of the Year: Heather Heflin
  Rookie of the Year: EMT Susan Weeks
  Career Member of the Year: LT Walter ``Al'' Deihl
  Firefighter of the Year: FF/EMT Ian Dickinson
  EMS Provider of the Year: Paramedic Barry Brown
  Team Award: Hall Business Team
  Team Award: IT Business Team
  Chief's Award: CPT II Melissa Ashby
  President's Award: EMT Elizabeth Bartlett
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
department for over seventy years of service and in thanking all of the 
brave volunteers who do not hesitate to drop everything when the 
community calls in need of help. To all of these men and women who put 
themselves in harm's way to protect our residents, I say: ``Stay 
safe.''

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