Jacobsen honored by firefighters

The National Volunteer Fire Council will honor the late State Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen, R-Minden, as part of the Nevada Firefighters Memorial ceremonies Oct. 13 that will place the names of three fallen firefighters on the memorial wall.

The names of Las Vegas Firefighter Mark Thomas Keeton who died May 8, and Clark County Firefighters Richard Washington, who died on Aug. 8, 2006, and Robert Corse, who died on Sept. 4, 2006, will be memorialized during the annual ceremony at the Nevada Firefighters Memorial in Carson City.

The council's lifetime achievement award honors individuals whose remarkable achievements in the fire service and community exemplify outstanding performance.

The award is one of only two that the National Volunteer Fire Council bestows. Jacobsen was nominated for the honor by the board of directors of the Nevada State Firefighters Association.

NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg, who is also the chief of the La Farge, Wis. Fire Department, will make the presentation to the Jacobsen's family during the 11 a.m. ceremony at the Nevada Firefighters Memorial in Carson City's Mills Park.

Jacobsen, who died July 26, 2006, at the age of 85, was the longest-serving member of the Nevada Legislature, having served 40 years including 20 regular sessions and seven special session.

He served in the Nevada Assembly from 1963-1977, then as a senator from 1979-2001. His leadership positions included Assembly speaker pro tempore in 1969; Assembly speaker 1971; Assembly minority floor leader 1973; Senate minority floor leader 1981; president pro tempore 1987-1990 and 1993-2001. He also served as a member of and led multiple other legislative commissions and committees.

Jacobsen was a 60-year member of Douglas County Engine Company, serving as a firefighter, emergency medical technician and ambulance driver. He was also a charter member of the board of directors of the Nevada Firefighter's Memorial, Inc., and was one of the leaders in seeking funding, services and other contributions in the development of the memorial.

Jacobsen was responsible for, or played a key role in the introduction and passage of numerous pieces of legislation of benefit to the volunteer and career firefighters of the Nevada fire service and overall fire protection of the state throughout the years including:

n Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 23 which provided for the development of the first comprehensive Statewide Master Plan For Fire Protection in 1980, and was a driving force in implementing the recommendations of that plan which included placing the state fire service training program in the State Fire Marshal Division.

In 1981, he introduced Senate Bill 74 to assign specific duties to the State Fire Marshal Division.)

- Combining the state fire marshal's advisory board and the state fire service training advisory board into a single body that became the Board of Fire Services.

- Establishing a state funded grant program for fire suppression and control. This program helped provide matching funds assist in organizing, training, and equipping fire departments statewide for more than 10 years.

- Directing the dedication of at least one microwave channel of the state communications system for use by the fire service in emergency situations, which has developed into the current mutual aid communications channels.

- Recommending the Board of Regents provide a consistent curriculum and consistent instructor qualifications guide for fire service training which has developed into the current community college fire science program.

- Strengthening the emergency medical training program under the State Division of Health providing for EMT training, certification and recertification of students and instructors in the fire service.

- Recommending the state fire marshal investigate the potential for required installation of smoke detectors in new and existing buildings through the adoption of regulations.

- Recommending schools institute programs in fire prevention and control, such as the Learn Not To Burn program as a regular part of school curriculum. He introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 15 in 1981 recommending that public schools offer courses in fire prevention and control.

- Requesting training and equipment be made available to handle accidents related to transportation and storage of hazardous materials in the state. This became the basis for the establishment of the hazardous materials training program at the State Fire Marshal Division and was the beginning of the establishment not only of a statewide curriculum but also a training academy at the Stewart Facility.

- In 1981, he introduced Senate Bill 86 with Sens. Virgil Getto and Joe Neal which provided for regulation of transport and disposal of radioactive, chemical and hazardous materials; He also introduced Senate Bill 87 with Getto and Neal which regulated processing and disposal of nuclear by products.

- In 1981 the three senators introduced Senate Joint Resolutions 11, 12 and 13 which requested the president and Congress strictly regulate the transportation of radioactive waste; requesting the United States government make training and equipment available for accidents involving hazardous materials; and requesting Congress establish regulated regional sites for disposal of low-level radioactive waste.

In 1983, he introduced Senate Bill 140 that increased the penalty for improper transportation of radioactive waste, as well as Senate Bill 184, which adopted the Rocky Mountain compact for regulated disposal of low level radio active waste

He also introduced Senate Bill 165 which granted the state forester fire warden authority under NRS 473 to prohibit restrict or limit certain activities as a fire prevention measure in fire protection districts. His Senate Bill 369 also authorized certain foresters and fire wardens to halt motor vehicles as part of overall fire prevention and arson investigation activities under the Nevada Division of Forestry.

In 1995, he sought appropriation through Senate Bill 534 to provide funds for the Division of Forestry to have the ability to reseed areas burned by fires.

His 1993, Senate Bill 444 provided the ability to fire districts to utilize prescribed fires as a fire prevention tool, while Senate Bill 155 expanded the immunity from liability for those who respond to emergencies, strengthening the "good Samaritan" law.

His work with Assemblyman Joe Dini, and Sen. Jacobsen's other supportive efforts on behalf of the volunteer firefighters of Nevada, helped ensure passage of Assembly Bill 116 in 1983 that provides statutory protection for volunteer firefighters from loss of employment or compensation resulting from responding to emergencies.

Jacobsen was active in a number of local community, statewide and national organizations, and his community service activities over the years were numerous. He has pitched in and worked on projects to benefit the community and state.

Jacobsen was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy. During this service, he survived the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, and a year later survived the sinking of the heavy cruiser USS Astoria in the Battle off Savo Island. His service record shows he participated in 13 major battles in the Pacific Theater.