12-09-19 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING December 9, 2019 HIM THE BEST IN HIS NEW POSITION OF INDIANA STATE FIRE MARSHAL Councilmembers Jo M. Broden, Jake Teshka and Sharon L. McBride did a joint presentation reading of the resolution for Chief Steven Cox. Whereas, Stephen Cox began his career as a South Bend Firefighter in 1993; and Whereas, Steve's desire to serve and protect was evident years before as he served as a Medical Specialist in South Korea and as a combat medic with an infantry unit with the 101 sc Airborne Division, including deployment to Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm; and Whereas, Steve rose steadily through the ranks of the South Bend Fire Department, beginning as a Firefighter/Paramedic to Lieutenant, to Captain, to Assistant Chief of EMS; and Whereas, Steve was promoted to Chief by Mayor Pete Buttigieg in 2012; and Whereas, under Chief Cox's leadership, the South Bend Fire Department opened three new fire stations, two of which, Fire Station #4 on Olive Street and Fire Station # 9 in River Park, have been LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified; opened the Luther J. Taylor Fire Training Center; created a robust departmental training program; achieved an improved ISO rating (a rating that determines how well a fire department protects a community and is instrumental in determining homeowners insurance rates); pioneered emergency response drone technology; and solidified its reputation as one of the best swift water rescue departments in the nation; and Whereas, under Chief Cox's guidance South Bend recently hosted the International Association of Water Rescue Professionals, just another of many examples of how first responders worldwide look to South Bend for specialized training in these extremely dangerous rescue situations; and Whereas, Chief Cox has invested tremendous time, talent and resources toward cancer mitigation for firefighters through gear selection, station design, and best practices on the fireground; and Whereas, Chief Cox has been active in the PFAS project in conjunction with EnFocus and Professor Graham Peasley of the University of Notre Dame by applying for an NIH grant to study cancer exposure risks to firefighters from their environment. PFAS stands for a broad group of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances which have the potential to cause severe health risks, including cancer, for firefighters through their unique exposure through fighting fires; and Whereas, Chief Cox also collaborated with the Indiana National Guard to form the Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team which assists in Indiana's disaster preparedness; and Whereas, Chief Cox has earned many certifications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for his work with the National Incident Management System; and Whereas; the City of South Bend was not able to selfishly guard Chief Cox's talents and abilities from an appointment from a higher authority when Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb recently named Chief Cox to be the Indiana State Fire Marshal where he will lead the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Division of Fire and Building Safety among other duties; and Whereas, this Resolution could enumerate in far greater detail additional accomplishments and the many endearing leadership qualities of Chief Cox, contrary to his own reputed practice of rarely ever "making a long story short," or "keeping it brief," suffice it to simply state Chief Stephen Cox at the end of his tenure leaves the City of South Bend with one of the best fire departments in the state, if not also, the nation. Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. The South Bend Common Council proudly honors and thanks Fire Department Chief Stephen Cox for 26 years of protecting South Bend.