Item B1
MONROE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Bulk Item: Yes
NoX
Division: Public Safety
Department: Fire Marshal
Meeting Date: March 19. 2003
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Presentation of Retirement Plaque to J. G. "Joe" London, Fire Marshal,
Public Safety Division
ITEM BACKGROUND:
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: None
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Presentation
TOTAL COST: 0.00
COST TO COUNTY: 0.00
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
BUDGETED: Yes
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
No
No
N/A
APPROVED BY: County Attorney n/a OMBlPurchasing n/a Risk Management n/a
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
DOCUMENTATION: Included: X To Follow: _ Not Required: __
DISPOSITION:
Agenda Item #: ;g /
Federal Emergency Management Agency
United States Fire Administration
Washington. D.C. 20472
Mayor Dixie Spehar
500 Whitehead St., Suite 102
Key West, FL 33040
FEB 1 1 '!:\"~
;..- .\..
Mayor Spehar,
I would like to thank the Monroe County Commission for this opportunity to celebrate
the distinguished career of J. G. "Joe" London, Monroe County Fire Marshal. I am honored to
join with others this morning to congratulate Joe on his retirement and the accomplishments of
Joe London as a firefighter, father, husband and my longtime friend.
Today you will hear about a man and his career which spans 40 years, beginning in 1962.
You may also hear about Joe's North Miami Beach service as a firefighter, eventually rising to
the rank of Fire Marshall for Monroe County, a position he has served with courtesy,
commitment and loyalty for over 17 years. You may also hear about how Joe gained his Florida
State Fire Inspector, Florida State Firefighter, Building Official, Building Inspector and his
International Arson Investigator accreditation. You may also hear about the training he has
implemented, his efforts to standardize fire equipment for ten volunteer fire departments and
how he helped to purchase over 35 fire trucks. You may also hear of his contributions to build
not only 2 new fire stations, but also a state of the art training facility for firefighters. These are
the accomplishments of a true American firefighter. These are the contributions that many can
speak of.
There is however one accomplishment I am honored to acknowledge. Joe London
realized in his career, if fires could be prevented, people were not killed or injured. Businesses
stayed open, and firefighters were safe. When a fire erupts in this country, fire officers write and
submit reports as to the fire cause, the property losses and the deaths and injuries resulting from
fire. We do not document those fires that never start. Through Monroe County Fire Marshal Joe
London's efforts, building developers, business owners, homeowners, industry representatives
were brought together to prevent fires. Through Joe's efforts we will never know how many
fires his efforts have prevented, however at the end of their shifts there are firefighters going
home today to their families and loved ones, who might otherwise have been injured or died in
the line of duty had the effort not been made to prevent tire.
In closing, I am honored to join with others this morning to recognize a very special and
gifted American firefighter. His career has touched many people in ways we will never know.
We will not know the true extent, because Joe London prevented fire, and he helped firefighters
simply do their jobs. On behalf of the firefighters of the United States, I wish you happiness and
good health in your retirement. Joe, you are a true American firefighter.
QQ0~~
R. David Paulison
U.S. Fire Administrator