WHEREAS, the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, a first responder unit whose members have given generously of their time in service to the residents of Virginia Beach, celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2017; and

WHEREAS, the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad was formed in early 1947 by 12 local citizens who recognized the need for a first responder unit in their community; later that same year, the unit was officially chartered by the State Corporation Commission; and

WHEREAS, resources were scarce during the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad's early days, but a local named Frank Kellam helped rally the community to raise $5,000 for a used fire engine, which was stored in an old barn; in 1950, the squad purchased a used Cadillac station wagon for use as its first ambulance; and

WHEREAS, the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad continued to expand during the 1950s and 1960s, acquiring additional equipment and a bigger fire engine; in 1968, the City of Virginia Beach built Station 5, where the unit is still housed today; and

WHEREAS, in 1999, having recognized an increased need for first responder service in parts of Virginia Beach, the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad opened a second location, Station 21, in the Red Mill and Strawbridge area; and

WHEREAS, from its humble early roots, the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad has grown into a two-station unit comprised of 90 devoted volunteers who operate four Advanced Life Support ambulances and one special events cart; in 2017, the unit recorded over 40,000 volunteer hours while serving a primary response area of roughly 100 square miles; and

WHEREAS, providing life-saving support 24 hours a day, the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad's dedicated and well-trained volunteers are pillars of their local community who selflessly give of their time in service to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad on the occasion of its 70th anniversary for providing vital emergency response services to the residents of Virginia Beach; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its exceptional efforts in aiding its local community.