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<br />-w _;,+~ Resolution No. 3734-07
<br />A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, PUBLICLY
<br />HONORING SOUTH BEND FIKE CHIEF LUTHER 3. TAYLOR FOR AN EXEMPLARY 34-YEAR PUBLIC SAFETY
<br />CAREER AND FOR HIS MORE THAN 21 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP & SERVICE BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AS
<br />SOUTH BEND FIRE CHIEF FROM 1985 TO 200T
<br />~, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, notes that on October 16, 1972, Luther J.
<br />Taylor was sworn in as a firefighter on the South Bend Fire Department and was assigned to Station # 7 located at 1616
<br />Portage Avenue, where he worked as the fire department's ls' "tillerman" on the station's ladder truck; and
<br />°~~, based on his willingness to help, and his courage, strength and desire to serve unselfishly, Luther J.
<br />Taylor quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to Captain of an Engine Company in 1976, promoted to
<br />Battalion Chief for fire suppression in 1980, and on October 25, 1985, was named the 28'~ Fire Chief of the South Bend
<br />Fire Department by Mayor Roger O. Parent; and is the longest serving Fire Chief in the fire department's long and stellar
<br />history; and
<br />~~~, the Common Council recognizes that during the 21+ years as Fire Chief and more than 34 years of
<br />exemplary service on the South Bend Fire Department, Fire Chief Taylor has exemplified the very best of the Maltese
<br />Cross which is depicted on the patch worn on the uniform of every sworn firefighter, which manifests the very best of
<br />"gallantry, loyalty, perseverance, sympathy, dexterity, explicitness, observation, and tact"; and
<br />~, the camaraderie of the brave men and women who have served under Fire Chief Taylor over the many
<br />years; his emphasis on training and his dedication to having the very best of gear and equipment; the construction of the
<br />new Central Headquarters, Fire Station # 10 and Fire Station # 2, and renovations of other fire facilities; the many
<br />successful and positive labor negotiations with the South Bend Firefighter's Association Local No. 362 of the
<br />International Association of Firefighters AFL-CIO; increasing the department from 211 to 248 sworn firefighters;
<br />providing professional fire services to the University of Notre Dame since 1989; playing a pivotal role in establishing
<br />countywide Emergency Medical Service operations in 1997; increasing the number of ambulances from two to seven;
<br />overseeing an annual Fire Department budget of more than $23 million; creating a haz-mat response team; special
<br />operation units for river rescue, tactical rescue, confined space, and trench and structural collapse rescue; instituting an
<br />annual physical program; implementing a 5-year vehicle replacement program; staffing neo-natal ambulances at Memorial
<br />Hospital; computerizing all eleven (11) fire stations; and instituting a promotion system---are just some of the many,
<br />many accomplishments and some examples of the vision which Fire Chief Luther Taylor and his extraordinary
<br />administrative sworn and civil staff members have provided in making the South Bend Fire Department "One of the Best
<br />in the Midwest" culminating in a rich and enduring legacy.
<br />c~ous, C-~lexef~ie, Ge itxeaoGuP.d, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows:
<br />Section I. On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council is especially
<br />proud to honor and formally salute South Bend Fire Chief Luther J. Taylor for his outstanding 34-year public safety
<br />career on the South Bend Fire Deparhnent. The Council truly believes that Chief Taylor exemplifies par excellence the
<br />very best of leadership and public service, and is a true role model to firefighters across the nation. The Common Council
<br />hereby commits to continue to work with the City Administration to make the regional training center which Chief Taylor
<br />has proposed a reality so that it will represent another lasting tribute to Chief Taylor's dedication to firefighter training.
<br />Section II. The Council believes that Luther J. Taylor truly deserves to call in "10-7" (out of service). A very
<br />"Grateful City of South Bend" sincerely wishes him and his wife, Gwen, all the best in the years ahead and know that he
<br />will be "10-8" (in service) in activities throughout our great city, while also enjoying his many interests as a machinist,
<br />working with antique cars, working with youth; and we especially wish Chief and Mrs. Taylor many, many wonderful
<br />visits to Indianapolis to be with their grandchildren and children.
<br />This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and
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<br />~~,~ C arlotte D. Pfeifer,
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<br />Ervin Kuspa, 6 Distra~Awct
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<br />L. White, At Lazge
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<br />Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney
<br />c~do~fted t/cia%3 `~i~ o~ 200'
<br />Stephe . Luecke, Mayor
<br />"Dr. I,~aGid Varner, 5~' District
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