HJ258: Celebrating the life of Irvin Adams, Jr.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 258
WHEREAS, Irvin Adams, Jr., a public servant and former chief of the Vinton First Aid Crew, died on January 22, 2020, after decades of service to his beloved Vinton community; and
WHEREAS, Irvin “Doug” Adams worked tirelessly on the Vinton Town Council for a number of years and also volunteered his leadership to the Vinton Breakfast Lions Club and the Vinton Needy Family Program; he was employed by Dayco Products; and
WHEREAS, Doug Adams joined the Vinton First Aid Crew in early 1971; at the time, calls were answered, day or night, by the members, who would leave their homes and assemble at the station before responding to emergency situations; and
WHEREAS, Doug Adams was one of the first members of the Vinton First Aid Crew to be certified as a Virginia emergency medical technician, and he continued to tirelessly answer calls while also becoming involved in the business aspect of the organization, such as helping to establish the accounting system, complete the yearly review, and prepare the operational budget; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Doug Adams served on numerous committees addressing important aspects of the business, such as equipment procurement, bylaws, personnel matters, finance, recruitment and retention, and taxes and audits; he used his position on the Vinton Town Council to help other members understand the unique challenges faced by local emergency services departments; and
WHEREAS, Doug Adams also served as rescue chief on two different occasions, as well as treasurer and assistant treasurer; he was serving as the president of the Board of Directors at the time of his passing; and
WHEREAS, Doug Adams offered his expertise to the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads as the District 6 vice president in 1976–1977, 1977–1978, 2013–2014; and 2014–2015; he also maintained and inventoried To The Rescue, the official Virginia state emergency medical services museum, in the City of Roanoke until its closing; and
WHEREAS, Doug Adams was a mentor to junior members of the Vinton First Aid Crew, where one member said of him, “We can never truly craft words to define history, feelings, and endearment for one who shaped the people we grew to be. I respected no one more as maturity eventually found me.”; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his beloved wife, Brenda, Doug Adams will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Donna Phillips and Mike Adams; his grandchildren and great-granddaughter; his nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends and colleagues in the emergency medical services community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Irvin Adams, Jr., a devoted leader of the Town of Vinton and a dedicated member of the Vinton First Aid Crew; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Irvin Adams, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.