[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 208 (Thursday, December 2, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING ANTHONY GALAGAZA FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE BAKERSFIELD FIRE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2021

  Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Bakersfield 
Fire Department Chief Anthony Galagaza on his retirement from the 
Bakersfield Fire Department after 30 years of public service to our 
community.
  Anthony's career as a first responder and exposure to firefighting 
began when he accepted a summer position in 1989 as a seasonal 
firefighter for the United States Bureau of Land Management. Captivated 
by the field, Anthony decided to take his talents to the Bakersfield 
Fire Department, where he would complete over 30 years of service. 
Indicative of his knowledge of public safety and passion for helping 
others in times of crisis, Anthony quickly climbed the ladder within 
the Department. In 1990, Anthony started out as a reserve firefighter 
and in 1992 became a full-time firefighter. In 2013, Anthony was 
promoted to Fire Battalion Chief after serving as a fire engineer and 
Fire Captain. Five years later, Anthony was tapped to become the Fire 
Chief, overseeing the Department's fleet of personnel, fire stations, 
and various divisions.
  During his tenure as Fire Chief, Anthony has transformed the 
Department to ensure it had the staff and resources necessary to tackle 
the challenges of the next decade. Some of his major achievements 
include significantly increasing the number of rescue squads and arson 
personnel in the Department, advancing health and wellness programs for 
Department staff and firefighters, and fostering public trust in the 
community. The emphasis on public trust and outreach helped the 
Bakersfield Fire Department maintain its elite status among fire 
departments as a recipient of a class two rating by the Insurance 
Services Office, which assesses the ability of a fire department to 
respond effectively to fires in its area of responsibility. This high 
rating indicates the effectiveness of the Bakersfield Fire Department 
and is a testament to Anthony's effective leadership as the Fire Chief.
  Anthony's investment in, and passion for, keeping the people of 
Bakersfield safe is without question. That is why, in August 2021, as 
House Republican Leader, I had the privilege to appoint him to the 
Medal of Valor Review Board, which reviews individuals to be awarded 
the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor--the highest national award 
for valor a public safety officer can receive--and make recommendations 
to the White House.
  Throughout his career, Anthony has dedicated himself to serving 
others, building trust in the city, and ensuring the safety and 
security of homes, schools, and workplaces in our community. He has 
been integral in highlighting the value of our firefighting and 
dispatch personnel and will be missed by the Bakersfield Fire 
Department, which he has referred to as his second family. On behalf of 
the people of Bakersfield and the 23rd Congressional District of 
California, I would like to thank Anthony for his decades of service to 
our community and I wish him and his family the very best as he starts 
this next chapter of his life.

                          ____________________