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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING FIRE CHIEF ALAN BERKOWSKY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT
WHEREAS, Chief Alan Berkowsky ended his distinguished career in fire service when he stepped down as chief of the Winnetka, Illinois Fire Department on April 9, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Chief Alan Berkowsky is a 35-year veteran of the fire service, having served multiple communities throughout Cook County. He began his career as a paramedic with the Chicago Fire Department. He joined the Evanston, Illinois Fire Department in 1981 as a firefighter/ paramedic and served there in multiple capacities, including Captain/Inspector/ Investigator, Division Chief of Administrative Services, Division Chief of Fire Prevention & Technical Services, and Fire Chief; and
WHEREAS, following his retirement from Evanston, he was tapped to become chief of the Winnetka Fire Department, which serves Winnetka, Kenilworth, and unincorporated areas of Cook County including Woodley Road and Indian Hill. Under his leadership, the department evolved into, in his words, an “All-Hazard” department that will respond to and assist in solving just about any problem that may arise, such as a call for smoke, fire, medical services, an activated carbon monoxide detector, an arcing outlet, water dripping from the ceiling, or someone slipping off a chair and needing help to get back up; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Chief Berkowsky has achieved numerous accomplishments and certifications. He oversaw the construction of three fire stations, designed and implemented a million dollar plus radio system for use by fire department personnel, redesigned a joint water rescue program; led the Evanston and Winnetka departments through ISO rating upgrades, and negotiated numerous collective bargaining agreements with local bargaining units; and
WHEREAS, he has held certifications as Firefighter II and Firefighter III, Paramedic, Fire Investigator, Arson Investigator, Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Fire Officer III (in progress), Underwater Rescue Diver, Fire Apparatus Engineer, Fire Prevention Officer, and Chief Fire Officer; and
WHEREAS, Chief Berkowsky has always believed in the importance of training and developing leadership within the ranks. In 2007, he attended the LEADS, Leading Education and Developing Leadership Program, at the University of Virginia - Weldon-Cooper Center for Public Service. He has served as an instructor for the OSFM (Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall) Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, and Chief Fire Officer programs. Over the last year, Berkowsky has been an instructor for the Illinois Tactical Officers Association in the Rescue Task Force Curriculum; and
WHEREAS, he has also held multiple leadership positions: MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System) Division 3 President, Mass Transit Emergency Response Committee Chair, IFSTA (International Fire Safety Training Association) High-Rise Committee Member, Evanston Firefighters Pension Board, and Oakton Community College Advisory Board. He is currently the NIPSTA (Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy) Fire Training Program Chairman, a position he has held since 2014; and
WHEREAS, Chief Berkowsky has been involved in multiple emergency management response and trainings, including Tabletop Exercises at Evanston Township High School, Northwestern University, Evanston Hospital, and the City of Evanston as well as numerous Emergency Planning Exercises and Practical Active Shooter Exercises at the High School. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he was instrumental in the creation of a MABAS Division 3 Vaccination Point of Distribution program at New Trier High School enabling local municipalities to vaccinate their essential municipal workers and teachers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, honors the life and contributions of Alan Berkowsky, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions he made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of same be tendered to Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky.
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