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2010 SESSION

10105103D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 316
Offered February 19, 2010
Commending Thomas Owens.
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Patrons-- Bulova and Sherwood; Senators: Petersen and Vogel
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WHEREAS, Thomas Owens, the outstanding City of Fairfax fire chief, retired February 1, 2010; and

WHEREAS, the son of a fire chief, Thomas (Tom) Owens always aspired to work in fire services and began his career as an intern at the age of 16 at the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Broad Run High School in Ashburn and receiving an associate’s degree from Northern Virginia Community College, Tom Owens worked for the Prince William County fire department before returning to the Sterling Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, an exemplary administrator, Tom Owens quickly rose through the ranks to become the Sterling Fire Department fire chief before moving to Winchester as the first director of the then newly formed Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department; and

WHEREAS, in 1998 Tom Owens came to the City of Fairfax as assistant fire chief of operations and was promoted to fire chief in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Chief Owens made public education, preparedness, and action his top priorities; he established the Office of Emergency Management within the fire department to prepare and protect city residents from the effects of disasters; and

WHEREAS, Chief Owens also created a life safety education program to increase fire safety education for children and seniors and a citizen-based Community Emergency Response Team; and

WHEREAS, Chief Owens increased staffing levels for each station’s fire suppression units and lead the expansion of the city’s public safety training center; and

WHEREAS, respected and admired by his colleagues and city administration, Chief Owens worked diligently to strengthen the relationship between career and volunteer fire personnel and continued the fire department’s strong relationship with the mayor and City Council; and

WHEREAS, while Chief Owens will be departing the City of Fairfax, he leaves behind an even more effective and efficient City of Fairfax fire department; and

WHEREAS, Chief Owens will bring his expertise and experience to Frederick, Maryland, as director of the Division of Fire and Rescue Services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend a dedicated fire services professional, Thomas Owens; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Thomas Owens as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for his contributions to public safety in the City of Fairfax and the Commonwealth.