[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 185 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO MR. R. STEPHEN BEST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 9, 2009

  Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Steve 
Best, on the occasion of his retirement as Fire Chief of the Chesapeake 
Fire Department.
  Chief Best's contributions to the safety and health of the City of 
Chesapeake's citizens cannot be overstated. Chief Best modernized and 
diversified Chesapeake's fire and emergency personnel services to meet 
the wide-ranging challenges of modern life.
  Chief Best began his fire fighting career as a sixteen-year-old 
volunteer with the Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department. That 
experience led to professional firefighting with the Chesapeake Fire 
Department upon graduating from high school in 1974.
  Working his way up through the ranks, Best worked as Fire Inspector 
and Fire Marshal for Chesapeake. He was promoted to Assistant Fire 
Chief, then Deputy Fire Chief until April 1998 when he became 
Chesapeake's Fire Chief and Emergency Services Coordinator.
  Chief Best has ensured the Chesapeake Fire Department is able to 
respond to specialized situations involving hazardous materials, 
technical rescues, marine incidents, and foam firefighting. He greatly 
assisted in equipping every Chesapeake fire engine and ambulance with 
Advanced Life Support Equipment to save precious time in beginning life 
saving procedures. Best's fire department embodies a sense of community 
by offering programs such as child safety seat installations, fire 
station tours, and fire extinguisher training.
  During his professional career, Chief Best continued to pursue 
educational opportunities. In addition to an Associate's Degree in Fire 
Science, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Governmental Administration, 
and a Master's Degree in Business Administration, Chief Best graduated 
with a Juris Doctor Degree from the Regent University School of Law in 
May 2008.
  At home, Chief Best and his wife Sheree reside in Chesapeake. They 
are the proud parents of two sons. Chief Best teaches Sunday School at 
Deep Creek United Methodist Church and has served in many leadership 
roles on the Church Council. He has also served as a board member of 
the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Virginia, Chesapeake Division, the 
Chesapeake Public School Foundation, and the YMCA Board of Management.
  Chief Best deserves the gratitude of all of Chesapeake's residents 
for his innumerous accomplishments that have improved the quality of 
life here. Madam Speaker, please join me and the citizens of Chesapeake 
in offering our sincere congratulations to Chief Best on his exemplary 
service and a retirement well deserved.

                          ____________________