CONGRATULATIONS TO AMBULANCE COMMANDER JOHN L. DURKIN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT
WHEREAS, Much-decorated Ambulance Commander John L. "Jack" Durkin is retiring from the Chicago Fire Department after an illustrious career spanning three and a half decades; and
WHEREAS, During the 1970's, the nascent concept of emergency medical services by first-responders was just beginning to evolve in this city. In 1977, Jack Durkin joined the Chicago Fire Department as an ambulance driver after being trained and certified as an Emergency Medical Technician at the city's Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy. He continued his medical training at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights where he was certified as a paramedic. He was further certified as a paramedic instructor at Chicago's Michael Reese Hospital; and
WHEREAS, After serving three years as an EMT and a paramedic, Jack Durkin was appointed as Paramedic Officer in 1980. By 1985, he was instructor for CPR recertification for the CFD's Emergency Medical Services until 1986 when he was appointed to the Office of Media Affairs as the department's spokesman; and
WHEREAS, During his service with the Office of Media Affairs, Jack Durkin soon recognized importance of the emerging video technology as a vital educational tool for the CFD. He was instrumental in the departments investment in advanced audio and visual equipment and was producer/editor of EMS, Fire Suppression and Rescue training videos as well as the departments important Public Service Announcements; and
WHEREAS, Jack Durkin furthered his education through courses in supervision of fire personnel at the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, the Illinois Fire Service Institute's course on emergency response to terrorism and instruction from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on national incident management in 2006;and
WHEREAS, From 1989 to 1995, Jack Durkin took on a different but no less vital role at the behest of the Commissioner to assure the department's integrity and the public's confidence in the Chicago Fire Department, working with the Chicago Police Department and the Office of the Cook County Sheriff along with other state and federal law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, For the past 12 years, Jack Durkin commanded Ambulance Company 58 (1995-2000) and Ambulance Company 12 (2000-2012). He has garnered numerous honors including eight Unit Performance Awards, the 1999 EMS Response Award from the State of Illinois and the 1998 Paramedic Award of Valor, the same year he was nominated for the Carter Harrison Award, the Chicago Fire Department's highest honor; and
WHEREAS, A resident of the South Side Garfield Ridge neighborhood, Jack Durkin may now find time to spend with his wife Marge, whom he married in 1993, along with their two daughters Nickie and Maggie. He was born and raised in Bridgeport as the son of John and Monica Durkin. Although his father has passed, his mother and two sisters Monica and Mary, will celebrate with him at his retirement party on December 26, 2012; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Michael R. Zalewski, Alderman of the 23rd Ward, has apprised this august body of the notable milestone achieved by this remarkable public servant; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered in assembly this 12th Day of December, 2012 AD, do hereby congratulate Ambulance Commander John L. Durkin and express our gratitude for his 36 years of loyal and devoted service to the Chicago Fire Department and the citizens of this city as well as extend our very best wishes for success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Ambulance
Commander John L. Durkin. \[' \';} A.'.l i
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MICHAEL R. ZALEWSKI Alderman - 23rd Ward