HJ646: First Responders Day.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 646
Designating September 11, in 2019 and in each succeeding year, as First Responders Day in Virginia.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 4, 2019
Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2019

 

WHEREAS, throughout the Commonwealth, courageous and dedicated men and women work to protect and aid the public during emergencies as both professional and volunteer first responders; and

WHEREAS, first responders include 911 dispatchers, law-enforcement officers, professional and volunteer firefighters, professional and volunteer emergency medical services personnel, emergency management professionals, search and rescue teams, rescue pilots and divers, the Virginia National Guard, and members of other organizations in the public safety sector; and

WHEREAS, every day, first responders risk their own safety in the performance of their duties to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, first responders are the first and best defense against all emergencies that threaten Virginia communities; and

WHEREAS, first responders are ready to aid the people of Virginia 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of inclement weather or other hazards; and

WHEREAS, first responders are highly trained, specialized workers who contribute their excellent skills for the public good; and

WHEREAS, the members of first responder organizations undergo extensive education and training and make significant personal sacrifices in order to achieve the expertise required to respond to emergency situations; and

WHEREAS, in addition to maintaining safety and order in times of crisis, many first responders in Virginia also enhance their communities as volunteers for service organizations, churches, and schools; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate September 11, in 2019 and in each succeeding year, as First Responders Day in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit copies of this resolution to the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Emergency Medical Services, the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc., the Virginia Association of Governmental EMS Administrators, the EMS Regional Directors Group, the Virginia Ambulance Association, International Association of Arson Investigators - Virginia Chapter, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Sheriffs' Association, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, the Virginia State Firefighters Association, Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Virginia Emergency Management Association, and the Virginia National Guard so that first responders in the Commonwealth may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this day on the General Assembly's website.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 646

Offered January 9, 2019
Prefiled January 8, 2019
Designating September 11, in 2019 and in each succeeding, as First Responders Day in Virginia.
Patron-- Mullin

Committee Referral Pending

WHEREAS, throughout the Commonwealth, courageous and dedicated men and women work to protect and aid the public during emergencies as both professional and volunteer first responders; and

WHEREAS, first responders include 911 dispatchers, law-enforcement officers, professional and volunteer firefighters, professional and volunteer emergency medical services personnel, emergency management professionals, search and rescue teams, rescue pilots and divers, the Virginia National Guard, and members of other organizations in the public safety sector; and

WHEREAS, every day, first responders risk their own safety in the performance of their duties to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, first responders are the first and best defense against all emergencies that threaten Virginia communities; and

WHEREAS, first responders are ready to aid the people of Virginia 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of inclement weather or other hazards; and

WHEREAS, first responders are highly trained, specialized workers who contribute their excellent skills for the public good; and

WHEREAS, the members of first responder organizations undergo extensive education and training and make significant personal sacrifices in order to achieve the expertise required to respond to emergency situations; and

WHEREAS, in addition to maintaining safety and order in times of crisis, many first responders in Virginia also enhance their communities as volunteers for service organizations, churches, and schools; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate September 11, in 2019 and in each succeeding year, as First Responders Day in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit copies of this resolution to the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Emergency Medical Services, the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc., the Virginia Association of Governmental EMS Administrators, the EMS Regional Directors Group, the Virginia Ambulance Association, International Association of Arson Investigators - Virginia Chapter, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Sheriffs' Association, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, the Virginia State Firefighters Association, Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Virginia Emergency Management Association, and the Virginia National Guard so that first responders in the Commonwealth may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this day on the General Assembly's website.