[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 18064] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF DAN PACKER, CHIEF OF THE EAST PIERCE FIRE DEPARTMENT ______ HON. ADAM SMITH of washington in the house of representatives Monday, September 8, 2008 Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Dan Packer, chief of the East Pierce Fire Department, who recently died in the line of duty as he was helping to save lives and property from the wildfires burning in northern California. Dan was a veteran firefighter, respected leader, wildfire expert, as well as a father and a friend to many. His service to our community and his friendship will be sorely missed. Originally from Montana, Dan was an avid rodeo bull rider and first joined the fire service in Burien, Washington, in 1981. He began serving as chief of the fire department in Bonney Lake in 1995 and was instrumental in joining several jurisdictions into an organization now known as the East Pierce Fire District. Today, East Pierce serves over 75,000 citizens across nearly 150 square miles with the support of more than 100 firefighters and staff members and 40 volunteers. Dan Packer also served as a president of the Washington Fire Chiefs. As a part of a Washington State-based incident response team, Chief Packer was called to service to respond to wildfires that have affected more than 600 acres of Siskiyou County in northern California. In this role, he combated the Panther Fire and was preparing to assume the duties of the division supervisor for time--battling the blazes in the Klamath National Forest near the town of Happy Camp. Reports indicate that on Saturday, July 26, 2008, while scouting the fire, flames suddenly overcame Chief Packer and, tragically, he was not able to escape. I extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the East Pierce Fire Department, the many firefighters who had the honor of serving at Dan Packer's side in both California and Washington State, and particularly to his wife, four daughters, two grandchildren, and his mother in this time of terrible grief and loss. ____________________