Recognizing Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District

Floor Speech

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Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, serving communities in Sacramento and Placer Counties.

On December 1, 2000, the American River Fire District and the Sacramento County Fire Protection District reorganized to form what we now know as Metro Fire, uniting 16 fire agencies into one force dedicated to protecting our communities.

Today, Metro Fire serves more than 720,000 people across 359 square miles. With 41 fire stations and more than 700 dedicated members, they stand ready around the clock to respond to fires, rescues, medical emergencies, and more to save lives and protect property.

Their mission says it best: ``professional and compassionate protection, education, and service to the community.'' That commitment isn't just words. It is how they show up every day, often on the hardest day of someone else's life.

That teamwork and pride show up in every setting. Last year, Station 26 took first place in the inaugural HERO Act Chili Cookoff that my office hosted at the California State Fair. I was proud to visit the station to present ribbons to Captain Adam Huckaby and Firefighter Taylor Edwards.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also have a responsibility to support the men and women who support all of us, especially when it comes to their mental health. That is why I am continuing to push for passage of my bipartisan HERO Act to extend access to mental health and support for our brave first responders.

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