[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 30, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E92]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CAPTAIN CHRISSY VALADEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2024

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Chrissy Valadez, a paramedic and fire captain with the Northshore Fire 
Protection. I have named Ms. Valadez as Public Safety Heroes of the 
Year from Lake County in California's 4th District because of her 
extraordinary selflessness, dedication and service to others.
  Ms. Valadez was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, to Robert and Tina 
Allen, She attended Mendocino College Fire Academy and Paramedic 
program and earned her associate degree in emergency management from 
Coastline College in Costa Mesa, California. Ms. Valadez began her 
career in 2003 with Lucerne Fire Department which consolidated and 
formed Northshore Fire Protection District in 2006. She has served as 
Northshore Fire Protection District's EMS Liaison since 2007. She is 
also a part of the Lake County Emergency Medical Care Committee and has 
been a Field Training Officer precepting paramedic interns since 2008. 
Having worked for nearly 21 years in Lake County, she has assisted in 
many of the major wildfires, including the 2018 Ranch Fire that 
devastated our community.
  Ms. Valadez has been serving her community for over two decades. She 
teaches CPR to a wide range of community members including high school 
students and school staff. She's also been educating community and 
tribal organizations on Narcan administration, tackling the opioid 
crisis head-on. As the driving force behind the Every-15-Minutes 
program at Upper Lake High School, she has been helping students 
understand the dangers of driving under the influence. Ms. Valadez is 
currently finishing her bachelor's degree in science education with an 
end goal of teaching health science and emergency medical services 
(EMS) to high school students.
  Three years ago. Ms. Valadez started working on a new passion in her 
spare time. She serves as a Regional Advisor for International Student 
Exchange, facilitating and supporting high school students in Lake and 
Mendocino Counties who are studying abroad in the United States for a 
cultural exchange experience. She is a local point of contact for any 
inquiries and emergencies, ensuring that the students have a positive 
and enriching experience while adjusting to life in a new culture. Ms. 
Valadez also organizes events and activities to promote cultural 
exchange and community integration to better connect international 
students and their host communities.
  When she is not on duty, Ms. Valadez enjoys spending time with her 
husband, Ronnie, and three daughters, Regan (14), Charlotte (9) and 
Clara (2). Her crew members at the firehouse describe her as a 
dedicated worker who does her best to provide solutions even in the 
most stressful of times. She is a wonderful daughter, a caring sister, 
an amazing mother and a loving wife, and our community is grateful for 
her hard work and service.
  Mr. Speaker, we thank Ms. Valadez for her persistence, service and 
commitment to our community. Therefore. it is fitting and proper that 
we honor her here today.

                          ____________________