[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8290-8291]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM PARK

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize an 
upstanding Nevadan, William Park, who has served as a volunteer 
firefighter for the Smith Valley Fire Protection District for over 50 
years. It gives me great pleasure to recognize his years of hard work 
and dedication to creating a safe environment for the Smith Valley 
community.
  Mr. Park joined the Smith Valley Fire Protection District as a 
volunteer firefighter in 1966. He was one of the first Emergency 
Medical Services, EMS, instructors in the State as part of the 
Professional Rescue Instructors of Nevada, where he trained hundreds of 
emergency medical technicians. In just 10 years, Mr. Park rose in the 
ranks and was selected to serve as assistant fire chief and later fire 
chief of the District. In the late 1970s, Mr. Park's construction 
company, Park Construction, rebuilt the Smith Valley Fire Protection 
District's Wellington Station, growing the facility to two apparatus 
bays. By 1980, he became the president of the Nevada State Firefighters 
Association, NSFA, while continuing to serve as fire chief. Mr. Park is 
truly a role model in the fire services community throughout northern 
Nevada and across the Silver State.
  In August of 1979, Mr. Park was badly burned during an accident after 
a Wednesday night training class and spent weeks recovering in the 
intensive care unit. This incident brought great support from the 
Nevada fire family and ultimately led to the creation of the NSFA 
Benevolence Fund and the Smith Valley Fire Protection District 
Community Assistance Fund. Even after this traumatic experience, Mr. 
Park showed great resilience and continued to serve the district as 
assistant chief and by instructing EMS training. To this day, Mr. Park 
continues to be an active participant with the district and responded 
to over 50 percent of department calls in 2015. Mr. Park stands as a 
shining example of someone who has gone above and beyond for those 
around him.
  It is the brave men and women who serve in our local fire departments 
that help keep our communities safe. These heroes selflessly put their 
lives on the line every day. I extend my deepest gratitude to Mr. Park 
for his courageous contributions to the people of Smith Valley and the 
Silver State. His sacrifice and courage earn him a place among the 
outstanding men and women who have valiantly put their lives on the 
line to benefit others.
  Mr. Park has demonstrated professionalism, commitment to excellence, 
and dedication to the highest standards of the Smith Valley Fire 
Protection District. I am both humbled and honored by his service and 
am proud to call him a fellow Nevadan. Today I ask all of my colleagues 
to join me in recognizing Mr. Park for his years of hard work, and I 
give my deepest appreciation for all that he has done to make Nevada a 
safer place. I offer him my best wishes for many successful and 
fulfilling years to come.

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