[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 13, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BRIAN McDERMOTT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 13, 2024

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize hero, leader, 
and lifelong resident of New Jersey, Mr. Brian McDermott. Brian is 
retiring from his position as Fire Chief of the great City of Paterson, 
bringing his two decades of service as a first responder to a close. It 
is a pleasure and a privilege to honor Brian and highlight his 
impressive career.
  Brian's story begins in 1994. After deciding that college wasn't for 
him, Brian was looking for a way to combine his passion for helping 
others with his love of being on a team. Brian's brothers encouraged 
him to take the New Jersey Firefighter Exam and he scored exceptionally 
well. Within a year he was hired by the Paterson Fire Department.
  It did not take long for Brian to display exceptional heroism. On 
March 10, 1997, he and his colleagues in Ladder Company 3 responded to 
a call, arriving to a building engulfed in flames and smoke. Despite 
the dangerous conditions, Brian and his fellow firefighter Matthew 
Ganci entered the building and were able to locate and rescue the 
people inside. On this call and on countless others, Brian proved his 
steadfast commitment to serving his community.
  Over the years Brian rose through the ranks from Captain, to Deputy 
Chief and finally to Chief of the Department in 2018. Some of Brian's 
notable achievements as Chief include the implementation of a free 
smoke detector program for residents, the procurement of a fleet of 
electric vehicles for the Department, and the transition of the City's 
9-1-1 network from an analog to a digital system.
  Brian was able to achieve so much as Chief because, no matter the 
position, he led with humility. Always focusing on his team's 
achievements and never his own, Brian's reputation as a leader is well 
known across New Jersey. His work lead to numerous regional leadership 
positions, including Deputy Fire Coordinator for Passaic County and 
Chairman of the Metro Urban Search and Rescue Strike Team.
  The people of Paterson were lucky to have a dependable leader like 
Brian when we faced one of our biggest challenges in recent history: 
The COVID-19 Pandemic. Leading the Department while protecting his 
staff from a deadly and rapidly changing disease was no small feat. 
Yet, Brian valiantly rose to the occasion in protecting over 150,000 
residents of Paterson.
  Now, Brian will rise to the occasion once again. Retirement holds a 
lot for Brian: furthering his education, contributing to the fire 
service profession, and traveling with his wife Shannon. It is with 
great sincerity and appreciation that I wish Brian a long and happy 
retirement.
  So, from the bottom of my heart, and from the heart of our 
communities in Paterson and Passaic County, New Jersey, I take this 
opportunity from the People's House to thank Chief McDermott, and may 
God bless him.

                          ____________________