U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Tom Kuntz of Carbon County for his unwavering dedication to the Red Lodge community and his 30 years of public service to the people of Montana through his selfless firefighting career.
Through his “Montanan of the Month” initiative, each month Daines will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress.
Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Month” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: HERE.
The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record:
TRIBUTE TO TOM KUNTZ OF CARBON COUNTY
Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I have the distinct honor of recognizing Tom Kuntz of Carbon County for his unwavering dedication to the Red Lodge community and his 30 years of public service to the people of Montana through his selfless firefighting career.
As a graduate from both the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officers Program and Ithaca College, Tom brought his skills and passion to the Treasure State when he first moved to Montana in 1992 and began what would become a distinguished career in firefighting. He now serves as the Chief of the Red Lodge Fire Department and has been an active leader in responding to the fires and natural disasters that have impacted the community over the years.
Notably, Tom served as a key player in responding to the 24,000-acre Robertson Draw Fire that blazed through Carbon County in June of 2021. Roughly one year after the community faced the devastating wildfire, they were hit with historic flooding, which has wreaked havoc throughout the county. Referred to as “the 500-year flood,” the high waters have caused catastrophic damage to people’s homes, properties, businesses, and public infrastructure. Tom acted swiftly working on the front lines to help mitigate the wreckage and help members of the Red Lodge community.
Tom and his wife Eliza also serve the community through their various restaurant and hospitality businesses which have become staples in downtown Red Lodge and attract both locals and visitors from near and far. They also raised their two daughters to be involved in public service and they regularly help out at the family businesses.
It is my honor to recognize Tom Kuntz for his dedication to keeping the people of Red Lodge safe through a seemingly relentless series of natural disasters and for his many years of public service to the great State of Montana. Tom, thank you for all you do help our communities prosper and stay safe. You make Montana proud!
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Contact: Rachel Dumke, Blake Kernen