[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 39 (Thursday, March 5, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DENNIS L. THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 5, 2009

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
community leader, Mr. Dennis L. Thompson, on his retirement after 36 
years of service to the people of Kern County, California, most 
recently as Fire Chief of Kern County & Director of Emergency Services.
  Chief Thompson began serving Kern County, which I represent, as a 
seasonal firefighter in 1970 at Station 55 (Mettler). On his first 
assignment, he burned both of his ears while containing a standing 
grain fire and although that experience made him question what he was 
doing fighting fires, he stuck with it. In 1973, Thompson became a 
full-time firefighter and began his training at Station 44 (Southgate). 
When he started firefighting, he drove vintage military surplus 
vehicles from the World War II and Korean War eras that were converted 
into fire trucks that were older than he was. Thompson also joined the 
ranks of the ``Smoke Eaters'' as firefighters back then were called 
because regulations did not require a breathing apparatus. 
``Thankfully'', as Thompson says, departmental and state regulations 
were changed.
  In 1975, Thompson started his full-time career in the Engineer 
position in Mettler, and in 1978, he was promoted to Captain for the 
Randsburg, Ridgecrest and Lebec areas. In 1981, Thompson suffered an 
on-the-job injury, while he was recouping, he returned to California 
State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) to complete a 4-year degree. He 
returned to duty at Station 56 (Lebec) and graduated in 1983 with a 
Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration with honors. Thompson became 
Acting Battalion Chief in 1984 for Battalion 7, which covered northeast 
Kern County including the Lake Isabella and Ridgecrest areas. In 1985, 
he became Battalion Chief and Chief Training Officer for Battalion 2 
and Battalion 5, which included southern and western Kern County. In 
1986, Thompson completed his Master's degree in Public Administration 
from CSUB. In 1994, Thompson became the Deputy Fire Chief and oversaw 
Operations, Finance and Administration. In 2002, Thompson became a 
Chief Deputy at the Department, an Assistant Department Head.
  In 2003, Thompson became Kern County's 10th Fire Chief and Director 
of Emergency Services. Serving as Fire Chief for six years, Thompson 
oversaw the completion of many significant projects. Thompson 
reinstated Battalion 5 in August 2007 and made sure that Station 18 in 
Stallion Springs was open permanently, rather than seasonally for fire 
season. Thompson also increased minimum staffing levels from 2 to 3 
person stations in all but one station. After 4 years of no equipment 
purchases, Thompson worked to acquire $38.8 million in replacement 
apparatus and equipment to fulfill the needs of Kern County Fire 
Department. The capstone of Thompson's career was overseeing, from 
start to finish, the completion of the Emergency Operations Center that 
made Kern County's operational area preparedness capability state-of-
the-art and viable for the future.
  As someone who personally knows our local firefighting community 
well--my uncle previously held the post of Kern County Fire Chief, my 
father was an assistant Fire Chief for the City of Bakersfield, and 
during college I was a seasonal firefighter for the County--I am 
grateful for the service and leadership that Chief Thompson has given 
to the people of Kern County. I wish him well in his retirement, and I 
know he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Mary 
Jo, and their family.

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