[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 176 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     HONORING CHIEF DAVID DONZELLA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2017

  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor David Donzella on the 
occasion of his retirement as Fire Chief for the city of Lighthouse 
Point, Florida.
  Chief Donzella was born in Tarrytown, NY as the grandson of Italian 
immigrants. He began his fire service career after graduating in 1976 
from McArthur High School in Hollywood, Florida David was hired as a 
Firefighter Paramedic with the City of Pembroke Pines Fire Department 
and ascended through the Department to achieve the rank of Battalion 
Chief, later being promoted to Division Chief of Rescue Operations.
  After Hurricane Andrew, David was instrumental in promoting changes 
to the fire service in the City of Pembroke Pines. One highlight of his 
career was securing the coveted ISO Class 1 rating for the Department, 
making it the first Department in Broward County and the 44th in the 
nation at the time to obtain that rating.
  David retired from the Pembroke Pines Fire Department in 2004, but 
chose to join the Lighthouse Point Fire Rescue Department in 2006, 
where he has served as Chief since 2007.
  Chief Donzella has also served as President of the Fire Chiefs 
Association of Broward County and Chair of the ``First There, First 
Care EMS Conference'' which over the years has grown to be the largest 
EMS conference in the State of Florida. He has secured numerous grants 
for both fire and EMS personnel to better serve their communities.
  His community service also includes involvement with the Davie 
Kiwanis Club, Leadership Broward, and the Pompano Beach Exchange Club 
Most recently, David received the Shining Star Award from the Pompano 
Beach Chamber of Commerce in honor of his community involvement 
throughout the years.
  I join Broward County in offering my sincere thanks and appreciation 
to Chief Donzella for his years of service and contributions to the 
South Florida community.

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