[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6590]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE NOTTINGHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PATRICK J. MURPHY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor the 50th anniversary of the Nottingham Fire Department in 
Bensalem, Pennsylvania. This fire department has a long and notable 
history of protecting the residents of Bucks County.
  In 1956, sensing the need for another fire company in Bensalem 
Township, a group of concerned Bensalem residents filed an application 
with the Bucks County Courthouse to establish an additional fire 
department. Despite facing strong opposition, the Nottingham Fire 
Department was formally established on April 25, 1958, following a 
lengthy legal battle. The original members of the Nottingham Fire 
Department were instrumental in setting up the company and creating the 
framework the department still maintains today. At personal cost and 
sacrifice, the founding members established the department's first 
station, purchased its first tanker, and elected officers to run the 
company's business.
  Since its beginning, the Nottingham Fire Department has used cutting 
edge technology and practices to improve its service to the community. 
The fire department was the first in the county to initiate pre-
designated fire fighter bucket assignments. To accommodate the growing 
demands on its firefighters, the department also took the initiative to 
start an organized bunk-in-program, a live-in-program and duty crew 
nights. In addition, the fire department was the first to establish 
formal Standard Operating Procedures and have them compiled into a 
training manual, and the first in the area to institute a first 
responders unit.
  The Nottingham Fire Department is proof that a group of concerned 
citizens can truly make a difference in the lives of those in their 
community. Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent the Nottingham Fire 
Department and grateful for the opportunity to recognize their 
significant 50th anniversary.

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