[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE GRADUATION OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE 
                     DEPARTMENT 148TH RECRUIT CLASS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2021

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Fairfax 
County Fire and Rescue Department and the graduates of the 148th 
Recruit Class. As they prepare to join the ranks of the Fairfax County 
Fire and Rescue Department, I encourage the 42 graduates to reflect on 
the history of the department and the contributions and dedication of 
the brave men and women who have served before them to protect our 
community.
  The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's Recruit School 
consists of an extensive and demanding 30-week program. In addition to 
two weeks of orientation, recruits completed twelve weeks of EMT 
training and sixteen weeks of fire suppression training. Upon 
graduation, these recruits will be certified at the level of 
Firefighter I/II by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.
  These recruits have the distinct honor of joining one of the best 
Fire and Rescue Departments in the United States. The efforts of the 
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department have been recognized across 
this country. Members from the Department serve on the elite VA Task 
Force I, which is among the first units called to disaster zones to 
provide search and rescue support. Members of that Task Force were 
recognized by the International Association of Fire Chiefs with the 
Benjamin Franklin Award for Valor as a result of their efforts in the 
aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal in 2015.
  Fairfax County is fortunate to have such excellent ambassadors for 
our community and I commend them for all that they have done to protect 
lives and property not only here in Fairfax County, but around the 
world. As the newest members of the Fire and Rescue Department, the 
148th Recruit Class graduates join the department as integral parts of 
our community's emergency response and public safety team. I am 
confident that this graduating class will serve the residents of 
Fairfax County with honor and distinction. It is my great honor to 
include in the Record the names of the 148th Recruit Class:
  Paul Ayers, Juan Bailey, Jacob Biller, Joseph Boccabello, Andrew 
Brinton, Timothy Cahill, Jason Cook, Zion David, Joshua Davidson, 
Andrew Duke, Matthew McKay, Ariel Molina Heredia, Gary Moore Jr, 
Ricardo Munoz Caceres, Charles Nelson III, Christopher Ong-Hay, Kelly 
Paszkiewicz, Tyler Pennington, Elijah Quiceno, Brandon Rafferty.
  Keith Fosco, Rachel Guszick, Jonas Holz, Timothy Hussey, Caroline 
Jarvis, Michael Kloosterboer, Cameron Kotwicki, Adam Ladd, Joseph Leis, 
Maria-Clarice Lingat, Tyler Martin, James Reed III, Darious Rush, 
Matthew Sisinni, Mark Taggart-Perez, David Tezza, Armin Saadi, Jason 
Vargas, Benjamin Welty, Taylor White, Matthew Wilson, Ian Wood.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
newest members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. I 
thank them for their service to their community and to all members of 
the Fire and Rescue Department, past and present, I say: ``Stay safe.''

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