[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PAYING TRIBUTE TO LAS VEGAS FIRE & RESCUE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Las Vegas Fire & 
Rescue for celebrating their 65th anniversary serving the Las Vegas 
community.
  The Las Vegas Fire & Rescue got its start in 1906 as the Las Vegas 
Volunteer Fire Department located in downtown Las Vegas on Fremont 
Street. Through the 1920s, the Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department was 
the only department in southern Nevada to serve the construction of the 
Hoover Dam and the newly constructed army base, now known as Nellis Air 
Force Base. In 1942, volunteer firefighters petitioned at City Hall to 
create a full-time fire department. On August 1, 1942, the first 16 
full-time employees of the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue began their shift.
  Today, the department has 16 stations across the Las Vegas valley and 
oversees more than 650 employees. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue is one of 
eight departments in the country to be accredited by the Commission on 
Fire Accreditation International and to hold a Class One rating from 
the Insurance Services Offices, Inc., making it one of the safest 
departments in the country.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the 
men and women who make up the department. To risk their own lives on a 
daily basis for the safety of others is truly commendable. I applaud 
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for its leadership and wish the department 
continued success for years to come.

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