[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 9, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   RECOGNIZING THE GRADUATION OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE 
                     DEPARTMENT 149TH RECRUIT CLASS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2022

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Fairfax 
County Fire and Rescue Department and the graduates of the 149th Class. 
As they prepare to join the ranks of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue 
Department, I encourage the 30 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 26-week program. In addition to 
two weeks of orientation, recruits completed nine weeks of EMT training 
and fourteen weeks of fire suppression training; Upon graduation, these 
recruits will be certified at the level of Firefighter 1/11 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 1, 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 
149th 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 149th Recruit Class.
  Mohamed Ahmed
  Patrick Alden
  Jayquan Anderson
  Andrew Bryant Jr.
  Zachery Buttenshaw
  Nicolas Cicero
  Alexander Clark
  Matthew Clark
  Alexander Cope
  David Danielson
  Justin Efaw
  Rickardo Evans
  Kassandra Haakansson
  Ashley Heck
  Marcin Ligocki
  Tyler Lomax
  Rachel Long
  Shannon Martin
  Johnathan Matrone
  Cameron Mazhari
  JohnPaul McGurk
  Frank Merritt
  Kent Miller
  Caleb Mitchell
  Matthew Mullins
  Patrick O'Connor
  Von Powell
  Shane Scott
  Matthew Smalley
  Dominique Wallace
  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.''

                          ____________________