[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 22 (Thursday, February 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF JOEY THORINGTON

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 3, 2022

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Deputy Fire 
Chief Joey Thorington of the Dearborn Fire Department. His honorable 
years of service to our community is worthy of commendation.
  Deputy Fire Chief Thorington is a graduate of Eastern Michigan 
University's School of Fire, Staff and Command and the National Fire 
Academy and holds a bachelor's in Community Development focusing on 
Public Administration and a master's in Technology Studies, focusing on 
Public Safety and Emergency Management. A trusted member of the 
Dearborn Fire Department, he began his career as a firefighter 
protecting our natural wonders at the Manistee National Forest, and 
later worked in the White Cloud and Norton Shores fire departments. He 
began as a Firefighter I in Dearborn on April 28th, 1998. He rose to 
level of Firefighter II in December 2003. In 2006, he was promoted to 
Fire Engineer and after excelling in that role he was promoted to Fire 
Apparatus Supervisor Assistant in 2010 and then Lieutenant in 2012. On 
December 16, 2013, he became Deputy Fire Chief.
  Deputy Fire Chief Thorington is the recipient of numerous awards and 
commendations for spectacular service to his community, including the 
John D. Dingell Medal of Freedom Memorial Commendation, the Fire Chief 
Life Saving Award, the Gino Polidori Community Service Award, the 
Outstanding Officer Award, the Vaccination Center Award, and the 
Meritorious Service Award. He served as President of the Dearborn 
Firefighters Association IAFF Local 412 from 2011 to 2013. Hard working 
and one of the biggest University of Michigan fans, Deputy Fire Chief 
Thorington has left his mark on the Dearborn Fire Department by setting 
the example for public service among his peers. When he is not saving 
lives in Dearborn, he works as Organization Administrator at the Legacy 
Center in Brighton and has volunteered to coach youth softball and 
baseball. Deputy Fire Chief Thorington retired on April 29, 2022 after 
serving over two decades with the Dearborn Fire Department. He resides 
in Pinckney, Michigan with his family, including his wife Jean and 
children Allan and Cece.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Deputy Fire Chief Joey Thorington for a career of exemplary service to 
the Dearborn Fire Department. I join with Deputy Fire Chief 
Thorington's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my gratitude 
to him for his honorable service in protecting our community and thank 
him for his role in serving the people of the City of Dearborn for the 
past two decades.

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