Floor SpeechNeutral2026-01-15

HONORING FIRE CHIEF KRISTIAN CONCEPCION

TaxesEnvironment

Context

On 2026-01-15, Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA-4) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING FIRE CHIEF KRISTIAN CONCEPCION" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment.

Full Text

HONORING FIRE CHIEF KRISTIAN CONCEPCION

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E45] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING FIRE CHIEF KRISTIAN CONCEPCION ______ HON. MIKE THOMPSON of california in the house of representatives Thursday, January 15, 2026 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fire Chief Kristian Concepcion, as he retires after 35 years of dedicated commitment to the fire service, including 10 years leading our Vacaville Fire Department. Chief Concepcion was born in Cavite, Philippines, and moved with his family to Southern California at a young age. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles in1986 and earned his Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University in 1989. He graduated from the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in 2016. Chief Concepcion and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 38 years and have called Vacaville home for the past 10 years. They are the proud parents of four adult daughters and two sons-in-law. Chief Concepcion's commitment to public safety is clear from his distinguished career. He began his service in 1991 as a firefighter with the Orange County Fire Authority. Over the next 25 years, he rose through the ranks, serving as a paramedic, hazardous materials specialist, public affairs chief, administrative officer, and Division Chief. In 2016, he became Fire Chief of the Vacaville Fire Department, where he has led the department with vision and compassion for the past decade. Chief Concepcion has rightfully been recognized for his leadership and innovation. Under his direction, the Vacaville Fire Department experienced remarkable growth and progress. Daily staffing increased from 19 to 29 firefighters, two new fire stations were opened, and the number of staffed ambulances expanded from three to five. He launched the city's Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Preparedness Program, strengthened fire prevention and code enforcement staffing to keep pace with community growth, and served as Interim City Public Information Officer for nearly two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also helped establish the Firefighter Apprentice Program, creating pathways for aspiring firefighters and ensuring a well-trained workforce for years to come. Chief Concepcion's dedication extends beyond the fire department to community service. He served as Treasurer of the Solano County Fire Chiefs Association from 2015 to 2021 and as President from 2021 to 2023. He also served as President of the Vacaville Christmas Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports local victims of severe fire incidents and families in need during the holidays. He actively serves on the California State Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Advisory Council and was an Honorary Commander for the 60th Operations Group at Travis Air Force Base. He was also a longtime member of the Orange County Fire Authority Pipes and Drums and has spent many years as a high school and college football referee. Mr. Speaker, we thank Chief Kristian Concepcion for his dedicated service to our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today as he retires after 35 years of service. ____________________

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HONORING FIRE CHIEF KRISTIAN CONCEPCION Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E45] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING FIRE CHIEF KRISTIAN CONCEPCION ______ HON. MIKE THOMPSON of california in the house of representatives Thursday, January 15, 2026 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fire Chief Kristian Concepcion, as he retires after 35 years of dedicated commitment to the fire service, including 10 years leading our Vacaville Fire Department. Chief Concepcion was born in Cavite, Philippines, and moved with his family to Southern California at a young age. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles in1986 and earned his Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University in 1989. He graduated from the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in 2016. Chief Concepcion and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 38 years and have called Vacaville home for the past 10 years. They are the proud parents of four adult daughters and two sons-in-law. Chief Concepcion's commitment to public safety is clear from his distinguished career. He began his service in 1991 as a firefighter with the Orange County Fire Authority. Over the next 25 years, he rose through the ranks, serving as a paramedic, hazardous materials specialist, public affairs chief, administrative officer, and Division Chief. In 2016, he became Fire Chief of the Vacaville Fire Department, where he has led the department with vision and compassion for the past decade. Chief Concepcion has rightfully been recognized for his leadership and innovation. Under his direction, the Vacaville Fire Department experienced remarkable growth and progress. Daily staffing increased from 19 to 29 firefighters, two new fire stations were opened, and the number of staffed ambulances expanded from three to five. He launched the city's Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Preparedness Program, strengthened fire prevention and code enforcement staffing to keep pace with community growth, and served as Interim City Public Information Officer for nearly two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also helped establish the Firefighter Apprentice Program, creating pathways for aspiring firefighters and ensuring a well-trained workforce for years to come. Chief Concepcion's dedication extends beyond the fire department to community service. He served as Treasurer of the Solano County Fire Chiefs Association from 2015 to 2021 and as President from 2021 to 2023. He also served as President of the Vacaville Christmas Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports local victims of severe fire incidents and families in need during the holidays. He actively serves on the California State Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Advisory Council and was an Honorary Commander for the 60th Operations Group at Travis Air Force Base. He was also a longtime member of the Orange County Fire Authority Pipes and Drums and has spent many years as a high school and college football referee. Mr. Speaker, we thank Chief Kristian Concepcion for his dedicated service to our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today as he retires after 35 years of service. ____________________