Title
To Recognize Assistant Fire Chief Kent C. Searle, in Honor of his 33 years of Distinguished Service with the Columbus Fire Department.
Body
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Searle began his distinguished career of service to the Columbus Division of Fire in 1983. He served as an engine, ladder, and rescue technician, before being promoted to lieutenant in 1992; and
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Searle’s exemplary service led to a series of promotions; 1996 to captain serving as Hazardous Materials Response Team Commander. Then to battalion chief in 2002, to deputy chief in January 2011, and in July of 2011 he was promoted to assistant chief, overseeing the Support Services Bureau; and
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Searle managed the development and implementation of the Columbus Division of Fire’s first Terrorism Preparedness training and response procedures; and
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Searle served as Fire Training Officer at the Ohio Fire Academy from 2000 to 2001. There he instituted the Hazardous Materials Programs taught to firefighters statewide; and
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Searle was recognized with the City Council Safety Award in 2008. The Columbus Division of Fire has honored Assistant Chief Searle with the Distinguished Service Award twice in 2002 and 2010; and
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Searle comes from a family of firefighters with two brothers and two brothers-in-law also serving the Columbus Division of Fire; and
WHEREAS, In retirement Assistant Chief Searle looks forward to spending time with family, traveling with his wife, Gina, and enjoying the outdoors; and
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Searle will be missed for his dedication to cooperation and his leadership in preparing the men and women of the Division of Fire to best serve the City of Columbus; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby express its appreciation for the outstanding contributions that have been made by Assistant Chief Kent C. Searle during his 33 years of public service to the City of Columbus, and this Council congratulates him on his retirement.