[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 18 (Monday, February 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E79]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING DEREK BERGSTEN OF ROCKFORD FOR RECEIVING THE ``FIRE 
  CHIEF OF THE YEAR'' AWARD FROM THE ILLINOIS FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHERI BUSTOS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 1, 2021

  Mrs. BUSTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Derek 
Bergsten for winning the Fire Chief of the Year Award from the Illinois 
Fire Chiefs Association. This honor recognizes an exemplary fire chief 
who makes ``significant ongoing contributions'' to the profession and 
who was a full-time chief serving a city of more than 25,000 people.
  After joining the Rockford Fire Department in 1994, Derek worked his 
way through the ranks to become a Captain, In 2007, he was named chief, 
becoming just the 10th chief in department history since 1880, During 
his time he created a mobile integrated health program that has worked 
to reduce visits to area emergency rooms, hospital admissions, and 
ambulance calls, Derek is responsible for the success of departmental 
accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, 
Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, and Accreditation 
for Government Fleet Management Services. He expanded the certified 
fire vehicle repair shop operated by the department to reduce down time 
for fire equipment across the region while creating revenue, He also 
created a program that allows Rockford fire personnel to transport 
patients experiencing a mental health issue to the Rosecrance Mulberry 
Center for evaluation rather than a potentially stressful emergency 
room, In order to prevent overdose deaths, he created a program that 
provides Naloxone kits and training to the families of those who have 
overdosed, driving down the number of opioid overdose deaths, Derek is 
the first Fire Chief from our region chosen for this honor in over 
forty years. I commend him on his work to better the Rockford community 
through his job as a fire chief.
  It is because of leaders such as Derek Bergsten that I am especially 
proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I 
would like to again formally recognize Derek Bergsten for winning the 
Fire Chief of the Year Award.

                          ____________________