MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Simmons (100th)

House Resolution 31

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING LINDA M. STUCKEY OF MARION COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, ON HER SERVICE IN FIRE EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. 

WHEREAS, Mississippi has the highest death rate from fires and burns than any other state in the nation and residential fire deaths in Mississippi have exceeded 100 per year statewide; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that at least 2,000 Mississippians annually receive burns from fire and flames which require emergency room care and hospitalization; and

WHEREAS, prevention and education are the keys to stopping the "Burning Belt" which the South has become known as; and

WHEREAS, Linda M. Stuckey of Marion County, Mississippi, has a record of volunteer work with the volunteer fire fighters that would be hard to match by any other woman and only a few men and is evidenced by the following accomplishments: member of the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department since 1978; first female in Marion County to complete the 38-hour Mississippi Volunteer Firefighters Certification Class through the State Fire Academy; member of the Mississippi Firefighters Association since 1988; elected vice president of Marion County Firefighters Association in 1990; presented the "Most Hours Training Award" by the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department in 1990; first elected a board member of the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department in 1991 and has served continuously on the board to the present in various offices such as public relations officer, safety officer and fire prevention officer; completed the charter class in 1991 of the Fire Service Leadership Institute at the Mississippi Fire Academy sponsored by the Mississippi Firefighters Association and the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association; elected as President of Marion County Firefighters Association in 1991 and served five years in that position; completed Emergency Medical First Responder Class in 1991; completed Emergency Medical Technician Basic Class in 1992 and is on the National Registry EMT - Basic; became a member of the Mississippi Firefighters Association Fire Prevention Committee in 1994 and was chair of the committee for 1996-1997; and in 1995, completed a 40-hour National Fire Academy Course, presenting effective public education programs at the Mississippi Fire Academy; and

WHEREAS, Linda M. Stuckey is married to Dewayne Stuckey, who is fire chief for the Tri-Community Fire Department, and though they do not have any children of their own, Linda has taken all the children of this state into her endeavors to teach them fire safety as evidenced by her many projects such as: beginning in 1988 to teach fire prevention and safety tips; completed her first "Learn not to Burn" workshop at the State Fire Academy in May 1993; in August 1993, Linda solicited businesses and organizations in Columbia and Marion County to purchase "Learn not to Burn" curriculum for preschool through eighth grade for all school and all day cares in Marion County and Columbia; in September 1993, Linda placed this curriculum in every school and day care in Marion County and the City of Columbia; and in September 1993, Linda Stuckey became a charter member of the Mississippi Association of Public Fire Safety Educators and assisted in teaching her first "Learn not to Burn" behavior class at the Mississippi Agriculture Museum; and

WHEREAS, from 1994 to 1996, Linda not only taught "Learn Not to Burn" classes in her native Marion County but attended and taught workshops throughout the state at locations such as Monticello, Gulfport, Jackson, Tupelo, Canton, Meridian and Greenville; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, she was elected Representative at Large for the Mississippi Association of Public Safety Educators and was elected to the executive board of the Mississippi Firefighters Association to represent South Mississippi Volunteer Firefighters; and

WHEREAS, in October 1996, Linda applied for the National Fire Protection Association's "Learn not to Burn" Champion Award and in February 1997, she was one of 61 people throughout the United States and Canada to receive the award; and

WHEREAS, Linda Stuckey has continued to receive honors and awards such as: November 1996 "Fire Fighter of the Year" for the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Fighters; and November 1997, presented a certificate for 1305 hours of training, the most hours on record for a fire fighter with the Tri-Community Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, Linda has continued her volunteer work to teach fire safety by: attending Oklahoma State University Fire Service Conference on "Learn not to Burn" curriculum in August 1997; attended a strategic planning workshop sponsored by the National and State Fire Protection Association in September 1997; facilitated a "Learn not to Burn" workshop for 12 teachers in the Marion County pilot program in September 1997; assisted in teaching a "Learn not to Burn" workshop for Collins' teachers and teachers at the Choctaw Indian Reservation in Philadelphia; and attended the National Fire Protection Association's fall meeting in 1997 in Kansas City for the introduction of "Risk Watch," a comprehensive injury prevention curriculum for preschool through eighth grade students; and

WHEREAS, Linda Stuckey, one of just a few who are first-year champions, has been chosen to participate in the "Risk Watch" program that the National Fire Protection Association has developed for preschool through eighth grade students; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi finds it most appropriate to pay special tribute to Linda Stuckey, volunteer fire fighter, EMT and public fire safety instructor for all her many hours of work with adults and children to help reduce Mississippi's high death rate from fires:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we commend Linda Stuckey for being chosen to continue her fire safety education in the "Risk Watch" training to be held in Washington, D.C., in April 1998.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Linda Stuckey, the Tri-Community Fire Department, the Columbian Progress and the Capitol Press Corps.