[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF RICK MARTINEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 8, 2005

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rick Martinez, former 
chief of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. Last month, Chief 
Martinez retired from a truly distinguished career of public service 
that spanned over thirty years. As his friends, family and colleagues 
all gather to celebrate his career, I ask all my colleagues to join me 
in honoring the dedicated service of one of Sacramento's finest 
citizens.
  Chief Martinez began his career as a firefighter with the Sacramento 
City Fire Department in the early 1970s. He quickly rose through the 
ranks as a Captain, EMS Coordinator, Battalion Chief and later, 
Division Chief, each time taking on positions of increasing 
responsibility and leadership. In 1995 he was appointed Fire Chief of 
the American River Fire Protection District, which was the precursor to 
today's Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District (SMFD). He also served as 
chief of the Florin Road Fire Protection District and the Sacramento 
County Fire Protection District.
  When the SMFD was formed in 2000, Rick was named the district's first 
chief. His management experience and expertise helped the district grow 
to serve over 600,000 citizens, spread over 417 square miles. He 
successfully managed 700 employees, over 40 fire stations and numerous 
other facilities, while also expanding specialized programs, such as 
the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force and the fire paramedic intern 
program.
  One of Chief Martinez's many accomplishments with the SMFD has been 
the development of Sacramento's highly regarded Urban Search and Rescue 
Team. The team responded with great distinction to the 1995 Oklahoma 
City bombing. In 2001, as our nation came under attack, Chief Martinez 
was responsible for managing all search and rescue teams at the site of 
the World Trade Center in New York City. Most recently, he helped 
direct the response to Hurricane Katrina's devastation along the Gulf 
Coast.
  The constant display of leadership and integrity has led Rick to be 
honored by many of his peers. In 2003, he was named Fire Chief of the 
Year by the California Fire Chief Association. Due to his crisis 
management experience he was tapped to serve as Chief Deputy Director 
of the California Office of Homeland Security by former Governor Gray 
Davis. In 2002, he was appointed to the State Board of Fire Services. 
Rick has also been active in numerous local boards and commissions.
  The people of Sacramento, California and our nation have been lucky 
to have Rick Martinez on their side in emergencies ranging from traffic 
accidents to natural disasters, structure fires to terrorist attacks. 
He has always risen to the occasion and led with knowledge, experience 
and reliability. His leadership will surely be missed by many.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most 
distinguished citizens, Rick Martinez. His successes have been great, 
and it is a wonderful opportunity for me to recognize his contributions 
to the people of Sacramento. I ask all my colleagues to join me in 
wishing my friend, Rick Martinez, continued success in his future 
endeavors.

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