HR 488 — Commending the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 23107400D I HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.

488 E N Offered February 23, 2023 Commending the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire ––––––––––.Department.

TAgreed Patron––Ballardto by the House of Delegates, February 24, 2023 R ––––––––––O WHEREAS, the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department was founded by volunteer citizens of the OL TownTowWHEREAS, ofin the early 20th century, when the Blacksburg inVolunteer 1922Fire withDepartment littlefirst moreformed, thanfirefighting dedicationapparatuses andused amotor singleengines, firewooden apparatus;ladders, and single-jacketed cotton hoses;

and DL WHEREAS, inmembers thewore earlynatural 20thfiber-based century,long whencoats, therubber Blacksburgboots, Volunteerand Fireplastic Departmenthelmets, firstwhich formed,E firefightingproWHEREAS, apparatusesthe usedlevel motorof engines,dedication, woodencall ladders,to service, and single-jacketedselflessness cottonrequired hoses;to operate in those D initial days have become inspirational to firefighters today;

and provided minimal protection for firefighters;

and coats, rubber boots, and plastic helmets, whiCh WHEREAS, the level of dedication, call to service, and selflessness required to operate in tEose initial days have become inspirational to firefighters today;

and WHEREAS, when the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1922, Blacksburg had a population of fewer than 1,400 people, and now, a century later, the town's population is estimated at nearly 45,000 residents with an additional 10,000 people living on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) campus;

and0,000 people living on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and H WHEREAS, the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department currently has 80 members covering three strategically4 locatedstrWHEREAS, stationsthe thatBlacksburg houseVolunteer 15Fire primaryDepartment apparatusesresponds andannually multipleto supportmore vehicles;than 1,200icles;

and WHEREAS,8 the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department responds annually to more than 1,200 H incidents that include fires, alarms, motor vehicle accidents, gas leaks, carbon monoxide alert4,alerts, technical rescues, hazardous materials incidents, service calls, and anything else that Blacksburg, Montg8meryMontgomery County, or Virginia Tech requests or requires;

each active member today also carries an assigned radio and a breathing air mask for use with advanced breathing devices;

andso carries an assigned radio and a breathing air mask for use with advanced WHEREAS, the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department has dedicated hundreds of hours annually to :training programs and is capable of addressing additional types of emergencies;

35and traWHEREAS, the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department has shown commitment to the community in 36 which it has served since its inception;

now, therefore, be it /commitment 37to the community in RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department hereby be / 38 commended on the occasion of its 100th anniversary;

and, be it 39 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the department's commitment to fire prevention and response and for a legacy of service to the Blacksburg community and the Commonwealth.