[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 97 (Tuesday, July 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING MODESTO REGIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY CHIEF GARY HINSHAW

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2013

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor 
Modesto Regional Fire Authority Chief Gary Hinshaw, who announced his 
retirement after serving 35 years in the fire service.
  Currently serving as the Fire Chief of the Modesto Regional Fire 
Authority, Gary Hinshaw also serves as the Fire Warden and Assistant 
Director of Emergency Services for Stanislaus County. Prior to joining 
the County team in June 2002, Gary enjoyed a long-term career in the 
fire service starting as a wildland firefighter with the United States 
Forest Service in 1973 on the Stanislaus National Forest. His first 
full-time position as a firefighter was with the Modesto Fire 
Department, beginning on November 21, 1978. He remained in that 
position for two years and was promoted through the ranks; four years 
as a Fire Engineer, seven years as a Captain, four years as a Battalion 
Chief and nine years as a Division Chief. He was appointed Interim Fire 
Chief of Modesto Regional Fire Authority on April 20, 2012.
  During his career, Chief Hinshaw has championed the concept of a 
close and effective working relationship between the fire service and 
the pre-hospital medical community; he served as the Chair of the 
Stanislaus County Emergency Medical Care Committee.
  Chief Hinshaw's assignments within the Office of Emergency Services 
have included: Chair of Stanislaus County Domestic Terrorism Task 
Force, President of Stanislaus County Fire Chief's Association, 
Operational Area Coordinator for the Stanislaus Operational Area 
Council, Stanislaus County Mutual Aid Coordinator, Operational 
Coordinator for Stanislaus County Arson Task Force, Region IV 
Representative to Cal EMA Standardized Emergency Management, 
Administrator of the Homeland Security Grant Programs, and Manager 
Stanislaus County Emergency Operations Center.
  Chief Hinshaw has been involved in numerous instructional 
opportunities within the community, including instructor at Modesto 
Junior College Fire Science Program, County Public Information Officer 
Training, Weapons of Mass Destruction for First Responder Agencies, 
Incident Command System/Standardized Emergency Management System, High 
Rise Strategy and Tactics, and Strike Team Leader.
  Chief Hinshaw has been recognized by his colleagues with many awards 
and accolades. He is well respected on a state and local level in the 
fire service and CalEMA arenas.
  Chief Hinshaw is married and has a daughter, a son-in-law and a 
grandson. He is active in his church and enjoys photography, boating 
and the outdoors.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and commending the 
outstanding contributions made to fire service and Stanislaus County by 
Modesto Regional Fire Authority Chief Gary Hinshaw and hereby wish him 
continued success in his retirement.

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