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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Chief Derek Bergsten has served the Rockford
3community for the last 27 years as a member of the Rockford
4Fire Department and since 2008 as the fire chief; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Chief Bergsten has supervised and promoted the
6development and advancement of 320 uniformed firefighters and
7ancillary service personnel who provide firefighting,
8emergency medical service, hazardous materials response, and
9technical rescue; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Chief Bergsten was recognized as the 2020 Fire
11Chief of the Year by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Chief Bergsten has overseen the implementation
13and expansion of innovative programs, including a mobile
14integrated health program, a certified fire vehicle repair
15shop operated by the fire department, a program that allows
16Rockford fire personnel to transport patients experiencing a
17mental health issue to a specialized facility instead of an
18emergency room, and a program providing Naloxone kits and
19training to the families of those who have overdosed; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Chief Bergsten made significant contributions to
21his field by serving on the Illinois Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory

 

 

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1Board, the Rockford Regional Health Council Board of
2Directors, the National Fire Protection Association's
3Committee on Public Emergency Service Communication, and the
4Technical Expert Panel for the Veterans Health Administration
5for Same-Day Access Measurement Services for Mental Health,
6among many others; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Chief Bergsten has been a dedicated member of the
8community and has served in many organizations, including the
9Salvation Army, the Rosecrance Florian Program for uniformed
10service personnel, Transform Rockford, Alignment Rockford, and
11the Winnebago County Opioid Response Team, where he served as
12co-chair; and
 
13    WHEREAS, On May 7, 2021, Chief Bergsten will end his
14tenure as fire chief for the Rockford Fire Department; his
15tenure is marked by his incredible leadership, which has left
16a permanent positive mark on the Rockford community;
17therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
19HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20we commend Chief Derek Bergsten on his many years of exemplary
21service and dedication to the Rockford community and wish him
22happiness and great success in his future endeavors; and be it
23further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to Chief Bergsten as a symbol of our esteem and
3respect.