HR1681 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1681 LRB095 23270 GRL 53947 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Grayslake Fire Chief Don Mobley on the occasion of his retirement as Fire Chief on December 19, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Don Mobley began his long and distinguished career with the Grayslake Fire Department as a volunteer in 1979; he rose through the ranks as a volunteer firefighter, eventually becoming the department's first full-time employee, Lieutenant, Director of Fire Prevention, Assistant Chief, and Fire Chief; he has also been a licensed paramedic for 28 years; and

WHEREAS, As Fire Chief, Don Mobley was responsible for insuring fast and effective emergency response to more than 32,000 residents of the Grayslake Fire Protection District; during his tenure, the Fire Department's responses increased from less than 1,500 to more than 3,650, with the department growing from 10 full-time employees to more than 30; and

WHEREAS, Don Mobley is a member of numerous fire service organizations, having served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association, the Lake and McHenry Counties Specialized Response Teams, the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, and the Northeast Fire Chiefs Association; he has also served on numerous ad-hoc committees to improve the delivery of emergency service throughout Lake County and the State of Illinois, such as the Lake County Emergency Operations Plan committee, and was the co-author of the Region X Mass Casualty Plan; and

WHEREAS, An emergency responder at heart, Don Mobley also assisted in the management of some of the largest disaster operations in the country, including operations during Hurricane Katrina, the 2007 California wildfires, and the 2008 Mississippi River flooding; and

WHEREAS, Don Mobley has accepted a new position as a Fire Program Specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Chicago, a position that he will undoubtedly perform with the same vigor that he has exhibited as Fire Chief; and

WHEREAS, Don Mobley's tireless commitment to the citizens of Grayslake will be remembered fondly by the many people he has helped in his 29 years of dedicated service; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Don Mobley on the occasion of his retirement as Fire Chief of Grayslake and wish him continued success and happiness with his future career; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Don Mobley as a symbol of our esteem and respect.