Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, the fires raging through Southern California have killed 20 people, destroyed more than 3,400 homes, and scorched over 750,000 acres of forests. Most of the deaths and demolished homes were in San Diego County, where a 280,000-acre blaze was apparently started by a lost hunter who set a signal fire. Every year, fires and other emergencies take thousands of lives and destroy property worth billions of dollars. Firefighters are on the front lines between the public and the devastation the fire can cause. Firefighters help protect the public interest from these dangers by rapidly responding to a variety of emergencies. Firefighting involves hazardous conditions and long, irregular hours. Firefighters must be prepared to respond immediately to a fire or to any other emergency that arises. Because fighting fires is dangerous and complex, it requires organization and teamwork. When fires break out in forests and parks, firefighters are brought in to suppress the blaze by using heavy equipment, hand tools, and water hoses. Forest firefighting is rigorous work.”