Firefighters honor Jacobsen

The National Volunteer Fire Council will honor the late State Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen, R-Minden, as part of the Nevada Firefighters Memorial ceremonies 11 a.m. Oct. 13 at the Nevada Firefighters Memorial in Carson City.

The council is giving Jacobsen an award of appreciation for his long years of service.

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 sessions.

He served in the Nevada Assembly from 1963-77, 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 Firefighters 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.

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.

Jacobsen was active in a number of local community, statewide and national organizations, and his community service activities over the years were numerous.

Jacobsen was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy. During this service, he survived the Dec. 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.