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2024 SESSION

24108284D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 193
Offered March 1, 2024
Commending Eugene E. Gerald.
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Patron-- VanValkenburg
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WHEREAS, Eugene E. Gerald, who responded to countless emergencies, led generations of firefighters, and supported his community with integrity and distinction, retired as assistant chief of the Henrico Division of Fire after more than 46 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Eugene “Cricket” Gerald began his career as a firefighter in 1976 and previously served as chief of the Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department in Hanover County and the part-time operations chief for New Kent Fire-Rescue; and

WHEREAS, at the time of his retirement, Cricket Gerald was the longest serving member of the Henrico Division of Fire; he had been stationed at numerous firehouses throughout the county and spent decades developing, refining, and delivering operational doctrine to enhance engine, special service, and fire medic operations; and

WHEREAS, Cricket Gerald helped establish company officer training and mentoring programs to better prepare his fellow firefighters for the challenges of their profession, and he promoted the importance of servant-leadership in fire service to build strong relationships between public safety officers and the communities they serve; and

WHEREAS, Cricket Gerald was a practicing emergency medical technician before the Henrico Division of Fire was officially involved in emergency medical services, and he served as one of the division’s original ambulance attendants-in-charge; and

WHEREAS, Cricket Gerald was active in a wide range of division activities, including the standards of response coverage group, and facilitated the development of a rural water supply procedure; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his accomplishments, Cricket Gerald received the 2022 Glenn Gaines Leadership Legacy Award from the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association and the Henrico County Manager’s Medal of Honor, a prestigious award that has been presented to fewer than five recipients; and

WHEREAS, Cricket Gerald also earned the Richmond Jaycees Community Service Award, the Ruritan Firefighter of the Year Award, the EMS Lifesaver Award, the Michael Holder Leadership Award, and the Fire Medal of Valor, among many other accolades; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Eugene E. Gerald on the occasion of his retirement as assistant chief of the Henrico Division of Fire; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Eugene E. Gerald as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his contributions to fire service at the local, regional, and state levels and legacy of service to the Henrico County community.