[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18151]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JEFFREY MESTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2006

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise with pleasure today to honor Jeffrey 
Meston, one of our community's heroes. He is retiring as Chief of the 
Fire District in Novato, California, where his service to both the 
department and community has been an inspiration to all who worked with 
him.
  Jeff started his career in 1976, working 10 years in Corte Madera and 
20 in Novato. He became Chief of the Novato Fire District in 1999. His 
commitment to the community, to professional excellence, and to all 
firefighters is evident in his work. Locally, he has been president of 
the Marin County Fire Chief's Association and the Rotary Club of 
Ignacio as well as Treasurer of the Novato Chamber of Commerce. On the 
State level he serves as the chair of the Legislative Task Force and an 
Area Director for the Fire Districts Association of California and the 
Training Section Chief for the California Fire Chiefs Association. He 
is also nationally recognized as a course developer and speaker.
  If you could hear him speak, as I have, you would understand why he 
is in high demand. In November, 2003, Jeff organized a moving memorial 
service for one of his own, Steve Rucker, a Novato firefighter killed 
battling wildfires in Southern California. He then related how he had 
taken Steve under his wing and added, ``Steve was probably the most 
genuine, decent and straightforward human being I've ever known. There 
were never any hidden agendas with Steve--qualities which made him easy 
to tease, but easy to love like a brother . . . I never knew anyone who 
wanted to be a firefighter as much as Steve. Steve lived and breathed 
his dream.''
  After Rucker's death, which may have been caused by lack of 
communication with State firefighters, Jeff advocated for better 
systems to prevent such tragedies in the future. ``Rarely a day goes by 
when we don't think of him (Steve),'' he says.
  One of Jeff's proudest accomplishments is the development of a new 
operating culture called ``Novato Way'' which asks district personnel 
to go out of their way to provide superior customer service, from 
rescuing cats to passing the hat for a resident in need of a boost. The 
department gives back to the community in many ways and enjoys broad 
support in return.
  Jeff holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, is a State 
Certified Fire Chief, and has completed his Chief Fire Officer 
Designation by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He also 
helped Fireman's Fund Insurance Company craft its Fireman's Fund 
Heritage program which awards millions of dollars in grants to fire 
departments and fire and burn prevention organizations across the 
country each year. Jeff continues his involvement, serving on the 
Heritage Advisory Committee, along with other national leaders in the 
fire service, to provide strategic guidance for the program.
  Mr. Speaker, Jeff Meston says he plans to travel in retirement--and 
write a fire science textbook. His experience will make the textbook an 
important resource, and his deep appreciation for the job our 
firefighters do will make it invaluable. Jeff is definitely one of my 
heroes.

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