SJ 215 — Commending the Toga Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 22107482D I SENATE JOOfferedJOINT MarchRESOLUTION 7,NO. 20225 N Commending the Toga Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

––––––––––215 TE Patrons––PeakeCommending and Mason R –––––––––– O WHEREAS, the Toga Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.,Inc. has served and safeguarded the residents of Dillwyn and the surrounding area for 50 years;

andN DAgreed ofto concernedby citizensthe hopingSenate, March 9, 2022 R Agreed to protectby the House of Delegates, March 10, 2022 O WHEREAS, the Toga Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., has served and safeguardsafeguarded theirthe fellowresidents residents;of L Dillwyn and the surrounding area for 50 years;

ofand L WHEREAS, the 22Toga originalVolunteer members,Fire Department was chartered on November 14, 1972, by a group two are still living, Roger Moore and Bill Talbert, who is still active with the department;

and membeEs, WHEREAS, the fourth volunteer fire department established in Buckingham County, Toga Volunteer D Fire Department primarily serves a 200-square-mile area in the western part of the county;

and E WHEREAS, throughout its history, Toga Volunteer Fire Department has responded to many high profileoperation incidents, including the fire at Longwood University in 2001 and the search and recovery opeWHEREAS, in 2021, Toga Volunteer Fire Department completed construction of an emergency shelter, which was put into use during a wintercrashed stormUnited inStates JanuaryArmy 2022Blackhawk andhelicopter provided 94 individuals with warmth and safety in extreme2004; conditions;

ande search and recovery WHEREAS, in 2021, Toga Volunteer Fire Department completed construction of an emergency shelter, which was put into use during a winter storm in January 2022 and provided 94 individuals with warWHEREAS, the Toga Volunteer Fire Department is equipped with the latest equipment to handle a J wide range of emergency situations, including structure fires, brush fires, motor vehicle accidents, 5 machinery extrication, search and rescue operations, and other services;

and communityR service,WHEREAS, enhancingmembers lifeof in the regionToga notVolunteer onlyFire thoughDepartment theirare couragehighly trained and determinationcommitted into the face of crisis situations, but through outreach programs like smoke detector giveaways and scho5lschool visits;

and WHEREAS, the Toga Volunteer Fire Department strives to create a welcoming and supportive atmospheremembers foramong its members;ranks and the first to be led by a Black chief;

itandam wasCounty to count female WHEREAS, the firstcurrent fire36 companymembers of the Toga Volunteer Fire Department have a combined 400 years of experience in Buckinghamfire Countyservice tofor countan femaleaverage membersof among11.6 itsyears ranksper member, and the firstdepartment is well poised to becontinue ledserving bythe acommunity Blackand chief;meet the challenges of the future;

andnow, yearstherefore, ofbe experienceit incommend fire service for an average of 11.6 years per member, and the departmentToga isVolunteer wellFire poisedDepartment, toInc., continueon serving the communityoccasion and meet the challenges of theits future;50th anniversary;

now,and, therefore, be it RESOLVED byFURTHER, That the Senate,Clerk of the HouseSenate ofprepare Delegatesa concurring,copy Thatof thethis Generalresolution Assemblyfor herebypresentation commendto the Toga Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., onas thean occasionexpression of itsthe 50thGeneral anniversary;Assembly's admiration for the department's contributions to the Buckingham County community.

and, be it 34 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for 35 presentation to the Toga Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly's 36 admiration for the department's contributions to the Buckingham County community.