SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 452 Offered January 23, 2007 Commending Chief Michael P. Neuhard. ----------
Patrons-- Saslaw, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Devolites Davis, Herring, Howell, Locke, Newman, O'Brien, Puller and Whipple; Delegates: Amundson, Brink, Bulova, Caputo, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Marsden, Moran, Plum, Scott, J.M., Shannon and Watts
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WHEREAS, Chief Michael P. Neuhard, the admired and respected Chief of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, will retire in 2007 after 30 years of outstanding service to the citizens of Fairfax County and the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Michael Neuhard joined the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in 1977 as a firefighter and steadily worked his way up through the ranks, being promoted to sergeant in 1983, lieutenant in 1986, and captain in 1989; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, Captain Neuhard was named Battalion Chief and Sworn Assistant Fire Marshal and was responsible for the Hazardous Materials and Investigative Services Section of the Fire Prevention Division; and

WHEREAS, after spending one year as a Deputy Fire Chief in charge of Special Operations, in 2000 Michael Neuhard was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief for Administration, and in June 2003 he was named Fire Chief/Fire Marshal for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department; and

WHEREAS, Chief Neuhard's impressive record of accomplishments during his tenure includes increasing the diversity of the Department, completing three major capital improvement projects, initiating the construction of a new fire station, implementing an Emergency Medical Services Quality Assurance Program, and revamping the Department's Career Development Program; and

WHEREAS, always eager to take advantage of professional development opportunities, Chief Neuhard has participated in numerous courses and conferences, and he is a member of the Virginia State Fire Chiefs' Association, the International Association of Firefighters, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs; and

WHEREAS, an active member of the northern Virginia community, Chief Neuhard currently serves on the Fairfax County Domestic Violence Prevention Policy Coordinating Council, as Chair of the National Technology Transfer Center--Emergency Response Advisory Committee, and as Chair of the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments Fire Chiefs Committee; and

WHEREAS, Chief Neuhard has dedicated three decades to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, working energetically and steadfastly to safeguard the well-being of his community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Chief Michael P. Neuhard for his longtime service to the citizens of the County of Fairfax and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Chief Michael P. Neuhard as an expression of the General Assembly's best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling retirement.