RESOLUTION FOR RETIREMENT OF LEWIS RICHARDSON
WHEREAS, Lewis Richardson is retiring from the Chicago Fire Department after an illustrious thirty year career; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been notified of Lewis Richardson's retirement by the Honorable Anthony A. Beale, Alderman of the 9th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Lewis Richardson was born on October 17, 1965. He took the entrance examination for the United States Army, but his uncle, now retired firefighter Hubert Matthews, convinced him to take the Chicago Firefighter's examination. Lewis passed the test and began in the Fire Academy on July 16, 1986 and was placed as a candidate at Truck 3; and
WHEREAS, Lewis Richardson's first day as a firefighter was October 17, 1986, his 21st birthday; and
WHEREAS, Among the emergencies he responded to were a high-rise fire on Chestnut and a single engine airplane crash at the Jardine Water Filtration Plant; and
WHEREAS, While working downtown, Lewis earned 4th Place in the Toughest Competitor Alive contest of regional firefighters. He also fought in the inaugural "Battle of the Badges", then known as "Drop a Cop". He won his boxing match helped by the great training of his friend and colleague Wayne "The Champ" Hankins of Engine 42; and
WHEREAS, Lewis Richardson transferred to Tower Ladder 5 at Engine 23's house at Cullerton and Damen. Working in Pilsen, he learned about residential and warehouse firefighting and auto extrication. He performed successful CPR on a newborn. While on detail at O'Hare International Airport he resuscitated an individual using an AED; and
WHEREAS, Lewis Richardson was promoted to engineer in 1999 and assigned to 5th District Relief. In 2002 he was transferred to 6th District Relief where he helped rescue a person trapped in a house in the Burnside neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, He then transferred to Truck 42, where he enjoyed the collegial atmosphere. Lewis assisted with the resuscitation of an asthma attack victim and CPR of a patient. He remembers narrowly escaping from a house fire at 82nd and Cottage Grove. Lewis even had to respond to a fire on his own house. His colleagues raised over $5,000 to help with the restoration of his home; and
WHEREAS, Lewis Richardson's successful career was largely-due to the assistance of his wife Jean Richardson. Because of her support and sacrifice, he was able to focus on his career; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-eighth day of June, 2017, do hereby extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lewis Richardson on his retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Lewis Richardson as a sign of our deepest gratitude and respect.
Anthony A. Beale Alderman, 9th Ward