[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5570-5571]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE BURKE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2017

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Burke Volunteer 
Fire and Rescue Department on the occasion of its 69th Annual 
Installation of Officers Banquet, and to thank its volunteers for 
filling an essential role in keeping our community safe.
  The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department was founded in January 
1948, and for more than six decades it has provided lifesaving fire 
suppression, fire prevention, and emergency medical and rescue services 
to the residents of Burke and the surrounding communities. It also 
provides, houses, and maintains firefighting and emergency medical 
equipment, provides opportunities for professional growth and 
development for the membership, and maintains and fosters a strong 
viable organization.
  As one of the county's most active volunteer fire and rescue 
departments, the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department works in 
cooperation with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department to serve 
the community. I am honored to recognize the dedicated men and women of 
the Burke Volunteer Fire Department who have volunteered for extra duty 
as Officers or as members of the Board of Directors and include in the 
Record.


                           Board of Directors

  President Tonya McCreary
  Vice-President Joe Shields
  Secretary Matt Bryant
  Treasurer Ian Dickinson
  Larry Bockneck
  Becky Dobbs
  Rich Guarrasi


                                Officers

  Chief Tom Warnock
  Deputy Chief Tina Godfrey
  Deputy Chief John Hudak
  Administrative Member Manager Cathy Owens

[[Page 5571]]

  Captain II Melissa Ashby
  Captain II Larry Bockneck
  Captain II Keith O'Connor
  Lieutenant Emily Fincher
  Lieutenant Kevin Grottle
  Sergeant Shaun Kurry
  Sergeant Jennifer Babic
  Sergeant Peter Hamilton
  Team Leader Paul Stracke
  Team Leader and Chaplain Harry Chelpon
  In addition to the men and women who have generously assumed the 
responsibilities of serving as an Officer or a member of the Board of 
Directors, the Burke Volunteer Fire Department is also presenting 
awards to the following individuals in recognition of their exemplary 
service during the last year:
  Founder's Award: Patrick Owens
  Rookie of the Year: Earl Roberts
  Firefighter of the Year: Ian Dickinson
  EMS Provider of the Year: Barry Brown
  Officer of the Year: CPT II Keith O'Connor
  Administrative Member of the Year: Chuck Fry
  Career Member of the Year: MT George Hahn
  Chief's Award: SGT Shaun Kurry
  President's Award: Becky Dobbs
  Special Recognition: Harry Chelpon/Kevin Grottle
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
department for 69 years of service and in thanking all of the brave 
volunteers who do not hesitate to drop everything when the community 
calls in need of help. To all of these men and women who put themselves 
in harm's way to protect our residents I say: ``Stay safe.''

                          ____________________