Bill Text: VA SJR243 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-08 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ243ER) [SJR243 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR243-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, members of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System demonstrated extraordinary bravery and courage in their response to a gas leak and home explosion that occurred in Sterling on February 16, 2024; and
WHEREAS, after receiving notice that there was a suspected gas leak at a property in Sterling, several units of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System responded and were on the scene when a 500-gallon propane tank that was the source of the leak exploded; and
WHEREAS, upon receiving multiple maydays and calls for help, additional units from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority responded and began working diligently alongside members of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System to locate and rescue individuals trapped by the debris; and
WHEREAS, the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System tragically suffered several casualties as a result of this incident, with 11 first responders hospitalized and one firefighter, Trevor Brown of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department, killed in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, the events of February 16, 2024, serve as a reminder to all that each and every day the members of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System risk their lives as they endeavor to provide fire protection and rescue and emergency medical services (EMS) to the Loudoun County community; and
WHEREAS, with a staff of approximately 500 career first responders and 1,500 volunteer personnel, the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System provides round-the-clock service at several strategically located facilities in order to respond to Loudoun residents, businesses, and visitors in their time of need; and
WHEREAS, the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System oversees a broad array of other services as Loudoun County's primary emergency response system, including firefighting and EMS training, the coordination and mitigation of large-scale emergencies and disasters, the E-911 Emergency Communications Center, fire prevention and investigation, hazardous materials response, public education and community outreach programs, swift water rescue, and wildland firefighting; and
WHEREAS, between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System responded to a total of 35,766 incidents, of which 27,024 were EMS incidents and 8,742 were fire incidents, averaging nearly 100 incidents per day; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System make unparalleled sacrifices to ensure the health and safety of the Loudoun County community, earning the esteem and admiration of all Virginians; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System for the heroism its members displayed on February 16, 2024; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System as an expression of the General Assembly's high regard for the agency's contributions to Loudoun County and the Commonwealth and sincerest condolences for the families of those impacted by this tragic event.
