[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF CHIEF RUSS SANDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2022

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Russ Sanders, 
former Fire Chief of my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and one of 
the American fire service's most respected and dedicated leaders.
  Russ has long been an advocate for firefighter safety and health, 
serving as a leader in the fire service locally, nationally, and 
internationally for more than 50 years.
  He retired in January from the National Fire Protection Agency 
(NFPA), where he served as a regional and international director for 
many years. Chief Sanders has also served as the Executive Director of 
the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association and as the leader of the 
NFPA's Urban Fire Forum. Before that, he served for nearly 30 years in 
the Louisville, KY Fire Department, his last nine years as Chief of the 
Department.
  Sanders obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree, a Master of Education 
Degree, and a Master of Science Degree--all from the University of 
Louisville. Russ is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy's 
Executive Fire Officer Program and Harvard University's Senior 
Executive in State and Local Government Program.
  Russ has dedicated his life to the advocacy of the fire service in 
the United States, tackling issues from firefighter health and safety 
to the development of fire and life safety standards, codes, and 
policies designed to protect the public. He also served as a subject 
matter expert on several major fire research studies conducted by the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology.
  Chief Sanders is admired and respected by his peers in the United 
States and Internationally. In 2019, the Congressional Fire Services 
Institute (CFSI) acknowledged his contributions to the U.S. fire 
service by recognizing him as the recipient of the CFSI's Annual Mason 
Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award for his exemplary leadership.
  Russ' dedication to making the fire service stronger, more effective, 
and safer has directly touched the lives of every firefighter in this 
country--and the American people are safer today because of his 
efforts. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege and honor to recognize Chief 
Russ Sanders for his leadership and years of service to my city, to our 
nation, and to his fellow firefighters.

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