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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT /EMT QUENTION CURTIS FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, COMMITTEMENT, AND DEDICATION TO SAVING AND CHANGING LIVES IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, as a young man growing up in Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood, Lieutenant/EMT Quention Curtis was fascinated by fire trucks and the firefighters that protected the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, He was welcomed into the fire station by those same men, and encouraged to follow their path - and so began a lifelong passion for the fire service; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Near North Career Magnet High School, Lieutenant Curtis entered the fire service at a young age; and
WHEREAS, he began working full-time as a firefighter for the Chicago Fire Department in 1988; and
WHEREAS, he was then promoted Fire Lieutenant and worked in some of the busiest areas in the city; including being a scuba diver and a member of Squad 1 for 22 years. Lieutenant Curtis was also a member of the response teams for the E2 tragedy, World Trade Center September 11th, and hurricane Katrina. He has over forty state and federal Certifications; and
WHEREAS, As Lt. Curtis is approaching retirement next year with over 30 years of service he reflects on his exciting career and wanted to give back and open the doors to fire safety and (Emergency Management Service) EMS in the African American communities; and
WHEREAS, on June 2018 Lieutenant Curtis opened The Black Fire Brigade, the country's first such organization, to promote and protect the fire rescue service and EMS personnel, provide continuing education and networking opportunities to members, and preserve the history and heritage of African American fireman and EMS service people. It also represents members' interest on public issues, discussions, and decisions affecting fire rescue and EMS rescue services, and promote fundraising for those services.
WHEREAS, August of 2018 Lieutenant Curtis raised thousands of dollars to send forty - five young adults to Emergency Medical Technical School. In addition, on December 2018 They graduated with an exciting career in Fire safety. Changing the narrative in the Black community one student at a time.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer of the 2nd District on behalf of President Toni Preckwinkle, the Cook County Board of Commissioners and on behalf of the over five million residents of Cook County, on this 13th day of January, do hereby recognized Lieutenant/EMT Quention Curtis for his Outstanding Leadership, Commitment, Dedication to Saving and Changing lives in Cook County and so wish Quention Curtis every continued success in his future endeavors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to Lieutenant/EMT Quention Curtis … and a copy is spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body.
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