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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, For nearly 85 years, the Pasadena Fire Department |
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has protected the lives and property of the residents of Pasadena, |
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and its skilled and courageous members are truly deserving of |
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special recognition; and |
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WHEREAS, Founded in the summer of 1930, two years after the |
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incorporation of the city, the department was originally made up of |
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25 members under the leadership of Fire Chief Joe Fels; its first |
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piece of equipment, a 1929 American LaFrance pumper called "Old |
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Betsy," is still displayed by the department during parades and |
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special events; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, under the leadership of Fire Chief Lanny |
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Armstrong, the PVFD continues to be the largest |
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single-municipality, all-volunteer fire department in the United |
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States, with more than 200 active and 50 semi-active members |
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working out of nine stations with 40-plus vehicles; the department |
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serves 140,000 people living within 52 square miles and answers |
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approximately 170 alarms a month, responding not only to fires but |
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also to hazardous material accidents and rescue situations; and |
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WHEREAS, The PVFD is a party to mutual aid fire protection |
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agreements with nearby cities, and it also answers calls at |
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Ellington Field, the Johnson Space Center, and the University of |
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Houston-Clear Lake; in addition, it is a member of the Channel |
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Industries Mutual Aid partnership, which provides fire protection, |
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rescue, hazardous material handling, and emergency medical |
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capabilities to local refineries and petrochemical facilities; and |
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WHEREAS, The dedicated and highly trained volunteers of the |
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PVFD provide an essential service to their fellow citizens and help |
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to make Pasadena a safer and more secure place in which to live and |
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work; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor the men and women of the Pasadena Fire |
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Department for their vital contributions to their community and |
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extend to them sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the department as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |