TITLE: Commending members of the Bedford Fire Department for rendering aid to Louisianans in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

SUMMARY: Commending members of the Bedford Fire Department for rendering aid to Louisianans in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, members of the Bedford Fire Department selflessly stepped forward to support their fellow first responders and help out their neighbors in storm-ravaged areas of Louisiana; and WHEREAS, Hurricane Ida made landfall as a Category 4 storm near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on August 29, 2021, bringing heavy rains and sustained winds of 150 miles per hour; the storm caused flash flooding across parts of southern Louisiana, and the extreme weather knocked out power grids, leaving more than one million people without electricity; and WHEREAS, The Bedford Fire Department, located in Tarrant County, Texas, and led by Fire Chief Bill Walker, responded to this state of emergency by sending eight firefighters to cities in Louisiana that were severely impacted by the storm; the fire crews were divided into two groups and deployed in two-week rotations; serving under Lieutenant Chris Conner were apparatus operator Justin Whiteside and firefighters Jorden Keefer and Josh Terbush, and serving under Lieutenant John Henrichsen were apparatus operator Derek Ray and firefighters Michael Barnhardt and Tom Harrington; while in Louisiana, they helped with cleanup efforts, answered emergency calls, and alleviated the burden on local agencies; and WHEREAS, By traveling out of state to provide assistance to those who needed it most, these courageous individuals went above and beyond the call of duty, and their actions have earned them the profound admiration of their fellow Texans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend these eight dedicated members of the Bedford Fire Department for rendering aid to Louisianans in the wake of Hurricane Ida and extend to each of them sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Bedford Fire Department as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Cason Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 95 was adopted by the House on October 14, 2021, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House