Forest Service honors veteran firefighter, lawmaker

Saying he had a place of honor for it behind the seat of his pickup, retired state Sen. Lawrence "Jake" Jacobsen received a chrome Pulaski fire ax from the U.S. Forest Service on Monday.

Jacobsen has been a volunteer firefighter in Carson Valley for more than 50 years, and has fought several fires side by side with Forest Service personnel.

As president of the Minden Engine Company for 25 years and a lawmaker for 40 years, Jacobsen has supported firefighting and preserved funding for fire crews.

"This is super you got me this one," Jacobsen said. "The one Ronan (Thornhill) gave me is in the pickup. I used it yesterday."

Jacobsen, 81, of Minden retired last year as the longest-serving legislator in Nevada history.

Forest Service Supervisor Bob Vaught presented the Pulaski to Jacobsen in the chambers of the Senate Finance Committee. Douglas County Commissioner Bernie Curtis, Forest Service ranger Mike Dondero and Thornhill of the Nevada Division of Forestry were at the presentation.

"I've enjoyed every minute of it," Jacobsen said after Vaught read a list of some of the senator's accomplishments. He reassured USFS officials he would put the Pulaski in a place of honor.

Jacobsen joked it was appropriate the Forest Service should give him this honor because he had collected quite a bit of the agency's equipment over the years as president of the Minden Engine Company.

The Pulaski was a welcome change for Jacobsen, who has received every other kind of honor since his retirement.

"I've got plaques coming out of my ears," said Jacobsen, who also has at least one building named after him. "This will not only have a place in my pickup, but a place in my heart."

Jacobsen went to Lima, Ohio, to pick up Carson Valley's first ambulance. He was one of the first people on the scene at the 1964 crash of Paradise Airlines into Genoa Peak. He and Robert Pruett spent the night on the mountain to keep watch over the crash site.

Jacobsen said he has been at the Legislative Building nearly every day of the session since he retired.

"When I moved out of my office here, I filled 10 boxes," he said. "I haven't had time to unpack them. I've been here every day like I belong here."