RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING KEVIN BERNACIAK ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, Kevin Bernaciak, esteemed 19th Ward resident and Battalion Chief of Battalion 4, will retire from the Chicago Fire Department on May 28, 2020, after 40 years of distinguished service; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this momentous occasion by the Honorable Matthew O'Shea, Alderman ofthe 19th Ward; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong Chicagoan, Chief Bernaciak was born and raised in the City's Back ofthe Yards neighborhood where he belonged to St. Joseph Parish, and attended Mt. Carmel High School in Woodlawn; and
WHEREAS, Chief Bernaciak's middle class roots instilled within him the value of hard work, and, from a young age, he knew he wanted to serve his neighbors and residents of the City as a first responder; and
WHEREAS, On February 19, 1980, Chief Bernaciak began living his dream when he began the Chicago Fire Department Academy and was then assigned to Truck Company 5, at 1123 W. Roosevelt Road, which later became Tower Ladder 5; and
WHEREAS, Chief Bernaciak rose through the ranks of the Department, being promoted to Engineer in 1993, assigned to Engine Company 18. Lieutenant in 1998 assigned to Engine Company 23. Captain in 2003 assigned to Truck Company 52 and Tower Ladder 5, and, finally, Battalion Chief assigned to Battalion 4 in 2013; and
WHEREAS, During an illustrious career spanning over 40 years of service, Chief Bernaciak received numerous Unit Performance Awards for fire suppression and livesaving efforts, and while he takes pride in these awards, he is most proud of the excellence and professionalism displayed by his fellow firefighters; and
WHEREAS, Even after working under the some of the toughest, most legendary bosses in Fire Department history, Chief Bernaciak felt most honored to have had the opportunity to teach countless firefighter candidates who were assigned to his companies and battalion; and
WHEREAS, In retirement, Chief Bernaciak looks forward to spending time with his loving wife of almost 30 years, Cindy, and their son Kyle, who serves as a Chicago Police Department Officer; improving his golf game; and enjoying more time for slalom and barefoot waterskiing; and
WHEREAS, Chief Bernaciak has dedicated his career to serving the City, and has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the Department, earning the respect of his peers, colleagues, and the public along the way; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twentieth day of May, 2020, do hereby congratulate Chief Kevin Bernaciak (Badge # 412) on his retirement, express our heartfelt gratitude for his 40 years of exemplary service to the residents of Chicago, and extend to him our best wishes for continued health, happiness, prosperity, and much success in his next chapter; and