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2005 SESSION

058505432
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 909
Offered February 7, 2005
Commending Chief Stephen A. Elswick.
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Patrons-- Nixon, Cox, Hall, Ingram, Marrs and Ware, R.L.; Senators: Marsh, Martin and Watkins
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WHEREAS, Stephen A. Elswick, chief of the Chesterfield Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department, retired on November 1, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Chief Elswick began his career as a firefighter with Chesterfield County on July 1, 1973, attending Recruit School Number 3 and finishing first in his class; and

WHEREAS, for more than 31 years, Chief Elswick faithfully served the County in a variety of assignments: sergeant, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, senior battalion chief, second deputy chief, deputy chief, and, since May 5, 1998, chief of the department; and

WHEREAS, Chief Elswick served as the commanding officer of the department's first Technical Service Unit and as assistant project leader on the County's first Police and Fire Emergency 800 trunking communications system; and

WHEREAS, committed to the development of leaders, Chief Elswick initiated the department's first Chief Officer's School, Volunteer Chief's In-service School, First-Line Supervisor's School, and Applied Leadership for Company Officer's School; and

WHEREAS, Chief Elswick successfully implemented the EMS Revenue Recovery Program to improve the EMS system for the future, to include the first full-time operational medical director and quality assurance coordinator, the purchase of much-needed equipment and apparatus, and the training and development of the department's personnel; and

WHEREAS, Chief Elswick established the department's first full-time recruiting officer to seek out the most qualified available candidates to serve the citizens of Chesterfield County, as well as the first full-time shift safety officers; and

WHEREAS, in a partnership with the Chesterfield Vo-Tech Center, Chief Elswick established the department's first Cadet Program to develop paramedics and firefighters for the future; and

WHEREAS, Chief Elswick supported creative and innovative methods for minimizing budget restraints by obtaining several large grants to provide personal protective equipment, specialized equipment for the Hazardous Material and Technical Rescue Teams, and domestic terrorism training for personnel; and

WHEREAS, Chief Elswick instituted the department's Citizen Against Residential Emergencies or "CAREs" Program, which supports citizens who suffer loss of property, are in need of food or shelter, or who may need other support or assistance; and

WHEREAS, Chief Elswick initiated an Advanced Life Support (ALS) team to study the critical issues of the department and make recommendations that will have long-range impacts on how the department conducts its business in the future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Chief Stephen A. Elswick on the completion of an exemplary career of service to the citizens of Chesterfield County; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Chief Stephen A. Elswick as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for his long and meritorious service and best wishes for a fulfilling retirement.