HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommendation Chief Luther J. TaylorRESOLUTfON
3734-07
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
April 23, 20 7
Attest:
City Clerk
President of Common Council
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
April 24, 2007
Approved and signed by me Apr i 1 25, 2007
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City Clerk
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-w _;,+~ Resolution No. 3734-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, PUBLICLY
HONORING SOUTH BEND FIKE CHIEF LUTHER 3. TAYLOR FOR AN EXEMPLARY 34-YEAR PUBLIC SAFETY
CAREER AND FOR HIS MORE THAN 21 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP & SERVICE BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AS
SOUTH BEND FIRE CHIEF FROM 1985 TO 200T
~, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, notes that on October 16, 1972, Luther J.
Taylor was sworn in as a firefighter on the South Bend Fire Department and was assigned to Station # 7 located at 1616
Portage Avenue, where he worked as the fire department's ls' "tillerman" on the station's ladder truck; and
°~~, based on his willingness to help, and his courage, strength and desire to serve unselfishly, Luther J.
Taylor quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to Captain of an Engine Company in 1976, promoted to
Battalion Chief for fire suppression in 1980, and on October 25, 1985, was named the 28'~ Fire Chief of the South Bend
Fire Department by Mayor Roger O. Parent; and is the longest serving Fire Chief in the fire department's long and stellar
history; and
~~~, the Common Council recognizes that during the 21+ years as Fire Chief and more than 34 years of
exemplary service on the South Bend Fire Department, Fire Chief Taylor has exemplified the very best of the Maltese
Cross which is depicted on the patch worn on the uniform of every sworn firefighter, which manifests the very best of
"gallantry, loyalty, perseverance, sympathy, dexterity, explicitness, observation, and tact"; and
~, the camaraderie of the brave men and women who have served under Fire Chief Taylor over the many
years; his emphasis on training and his dedication to having the very best of gear and equipment; the construction of the
new Central Headquarters, Fire Station # 10 and Fire Station # 2, and renovations of other fire facilities; the many
successful and positive labor negotiations with the South Bend Firefighter's Association Local No. 362 of the
International Association of Firefighters AFL-CIO; increasing the department from 211 to 248 sworn firefighters;
providing professional fire services to the University of Notre Dame since 1989; playing a pivotal role in establishing
countywide Emergency Medical Service operations in 1997; increasing the number of ambulances from two to seven;
overseeing an annual Fire Department budget of more than $23 million; creating a haz-mat response team; special
operation units for river rescue, tactical rescue, confined space, and trench and structural collapse rescue; instituting an
annual physical program; implementing a 5-year vehicle replacement program; staffing neo-natal ambulances at Memorial
Hospital; computerizing all eleven (11) fire stations; and instituting a promotion system---are just some of the many,
many accomplishments and some examples of the vision which Fire Chief Luther Taylor and his extraordinary
administrative sworn and civil staff members have provided in making the South Bend Fire Department "One of the Best
in the Midwest" culminating in a rich and enduring legacy.
c~ous, C-~lexef~ie, Ge itxeaoGuP.d, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows:
Section I. On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council is especially
proud to honor and formally salute South Bend Fire Chief Luther J. Taylor for his outstanding 34-year public safety
career on the South Bend Fire Deparhnent. The Council truly believes that Chief Taylor exemplifies par excellence the
very best of leadership and public service, and is a true role model to firefighters across the nation. The Common Council
hereby commits to continue to work with the City Administration to make the regional training center which Chief Taylor
has proposed a reality so that it will represent another lasting tribute to Chief Taylor's dedication to firefighter training.
Section II. The Council believes that Luther J. Taylor truly deserves to call in "10-7" (out of service). A very
"Grateful City of South Bend" sincerely wishes him and his wife, Gwen, all the best in the years ahead and know that he
will be "10-8" (in service) in activities throughout our great city, while also enjoying his many interests as a machinist,
working with antique cars, working with youth; and we especially wish Chief and Mrs. Taylor many, many wonderful
visits to Indianapolis to be with their grandchildren and children.
This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and
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~~,~ C arlotte D. Pfeifer,
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Ervin Kuspa, 6 Distra~Awct
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L. White, At Lazge
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Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney
c~do~fted t/cia%3 `~i~ o~ 200'
Stephe . Luecke, Mayor
"Dr. I,~aGid Varner, 5~' District