[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF FIRE CHIEF TIMOTHY A. POTTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 15, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Fire Chief 
Timothy A. Potts on the occasion of his retirement from the Olmsted 
Falls Fire Department. He honorably served the people of Olmsted Falls 
with unwavering dedication for 35 years as a paramedic, firefighter and 
fire chief.
  Chief Potts joined the Olmsted Falls Fire Department on April 14, 
1975, and two years later he graduated as a paramedic. Throughout his 
tenure as a firefighter and paramedic, Chief Potts' motivation to 
study, and then later teach, never diminished. In 1981, Chief Potts 
became a river rescue instructor and his expertise in this area of 
rescue became sought after by numerous departments across the state of 
Ohio. Throughout the 1980s, he travelled throughout the state to teach 
courses on river rescue and rope rescue.
  In 1988, Chief Potts was sworn in as lieutenant and, in 1990, he 
began teaching all areas of pre-hospital emergency medical care to 
firefighters and paramedics at Southwest General Hospital. Throughout 
his career, Chief Potts sought to strengthen and enhance the Olmsted 
Falls Fire Department. He wrote grants for his department totaling 
nearly $1 million, and helped other fire departments secure more than 
$4 million in funding. In addition, Chief Potts was instrumental in 
designing the new Olmsted Falls Fire Department building and firehouse. 
He was sworn in as fire chief in June of 2004.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Fire Chief 
Timothy A. Potts for his focus and dedication to keeping the people who 
live and work in Olmsted Falls safe and secure. His work and 
accomplishments as chief, firefighter, paramedic and instructor reflect 
integrity, excellence, expertise and heart. His efforts will continue 
to enhance the foundation of safety and well being throughout Olmsted 
Falls and will provide a shining example for all who will follow in his 
path.

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