[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF RANDY COLLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 2010

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker I rise today to recognize 
Randy Collins who is retiring after 30 years in fire services in 
California, the last seven of which have been as Chief of the 
Healdsburg Fire Department.
  Chief Collins began his career in 1980 as a volunteer with the Arcata 
Fire Protection District while attending Humboldt State University. 
Upon graduation, he moved to San Jose and began work in the electronics 
industry and joined the Campbell Fire Department as a reserve fire 
fighter. He became a full-time fire fighter in 1987 when he joined the 
Healdsburg Fire Department. He moved up through the ranks from Fire 
Captain and Fire Engineer to Fire Marshall until he was named Chief in 
2003.
  While at Healdsburg, Chief Collins established the Community 
Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, began a local fire academy to 
improve the skills and training for reserve staff, increased full-time 
staff and worked with neighborhood groups to develop fire safety 
counsels.
  Chief Collins actively participated in the community as a member of 
the Healdsburg Kiwanis Club, St. Paul's Church and North County 
Community Services.
  In addition to his BA degree in Industrial Arts from Humboldt State 
University, Chief Collins holds an AA degree in Fire Science from 
Mission College in Santa Clara, California. He is a graduate of the 
National Fire Academy and holds several advanced fire science degrees.
  After retirement, Chief Collins plans to spend more time with his 
wife and two children and pursue his hobbies of kayaking, woodworking 
and hiking the great mountain peaks of the west.
  Madam Speaker, Chief Collins has a distinguished 30-year public 
safety career and it is therefore appropriate that we acknowledge and 
honor him today and thank him for his service.

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