HJ0135 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0135 LRB094 20494 HSS 58792 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Buffalo Grove Fire Department, established in 1981, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Until its establishment, the Village had been jointly protected by the Wheeling, Long Grove, and Vernon Fire Protection Districts; in 1980, voters approved a referendum creating the fire department; the nucleus was to be the Buffalo Grove Fire Department Inc., which provided fire protection and paramedic service to the Cook County portion of Buffalo Grove under contract with the Wheeling Fire Protection District; a new fire station was built on Busch Road, now Deerfield Parkway, to protect the Lake County portion of Buffalo Grove; the Department continues to grow; there are now 67 employees and an additional fire station; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Fire Chief Tim Sashko and a professional staff of firefighters, the Buffalo Grove Fire Department provides outstanding service to the community; it is one of the select fire departments in the country to receive an Insurance Service Office rating of Two, which reflects the Department's preparedness to protect the Village from fires, its high level of training, and its dedication to maintaining and upgrading firefighting equipment; and

WHEREAS, The Department reduces and controls fire losses in the Village through a comprehensive program of public education, fire suppression, and training; and

WHEREAS, The Department plays an essential role in emergency preparedness and Homeland Security initiatives and provides specialized rescue services during hazardous material, dive rescue, and technical rescue events; and

WHEREAS, The Department establishes relationships with other village departments and agencies at every level of government in order to strengthen fire protection and emergency services throughout the region; and

WHEREAS, The Department actively pursues opportunities to improve its firefighting capabilities and expand programs for residents, recently securing a federal grant for new safety equipment and a grant for fire prevention education tools; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we offer our sincere thanks to the Buffalo Grove Fire Department for its dedicated service to the Village and surrounding communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we congratulate the Buffalo Grove Fire Department on the occasion of its 25th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Buffalo Grove Fire Department.