Bill Text: VA HJR764 | 2023 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-02-23 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ764ER) [HJR764 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2023-HJR764-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, for 75 years, the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department has safeguarded the lives and property of James City County and western York County-Bruton District residents and provided exceptional outreach to the community; and
WHEREAS, the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department was founded on March 2, 1948, and was the first fire department in James City County; that March, a group of 68 community members came forward as the company's first volunteers; and
WHEREAS, originally headquartered in Somers Garage and Madisons Store, the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department built its first station in 1950 on Ironbound Road, before moving into a larger station in 1950 in Toano, then relocating in 1952 and again in 1963, both times in Toano; and
WHEREAS, the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department hired the firms Guernsey Tingle Architects and Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects to construct a new facility, fully equipped with five double-deep drive-through apparatus bays, bunks, office spaces, a radio room, a day room, training facilities, and equipment storage, as well as a meeting room and a commercial kitchen available for use by the public; and
WHEREAS, located in Toano, the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department is responsible for the largest service area of all five fire stations in James City County, which includes residential developments, farms, commercial and industrial areas, a major interstate highway, and two major rivers; and
WHEREAS, with both volunteer and professional firefighters and emergency medical personnel, the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department is equipped to respond with state-of-the-art equipment and training to fires, vehicle crashes, technical rescues, maritime emergencies, hazardous material spills, and emergency medical events 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
WHEREAS, the highly trained members of the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department respond to approximately 1,500 such calls annually; and
WHEREAS, the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department maintains extensive mutual aid agreements with departments in neighboring York County, New Kent County, Charles City County, and the City of Williamsburg to ensure continuation of service in any eventuality; and
WHEREAS, the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department works diligently to enhance community life outside of its regular duties by building strong ties with members of the public and by generously assisting civic organization and churches with service projects; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department also opened the James City-Bruton Farmer's Market across the street from Station No. 1 in Toano, which provides local produce vendors and crafters with a convenient location to sell their wares from April through December each year; and
WHEREAS, throughout its history, the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department has demonstrated a commitment to honesty, integrity, good communication, innovation, and overall excellence in its mission to serve and safeguard members of the public; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department on the occasion of its 75th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its legacy of service to the James City County community.
