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3 <br /> 1 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> 2 a. Length of Service Awards and Retirement Recognition of Firefighters <br /> 3 The Board recognized sixty-five (65) fire district personnel (volunteer and career) who have <br /> 4 provided a minimum of 20 years of service (average of 30 years) to Orange County, and <br /> 5 approved proclamations honoring the accomplishments of four (4) retiring firefighters. <br /> 6 <br /> 7 BACKGROUND: In 2021, the Orange County Chief's Council requested that the Board of <br /> 8 Commissioners create a Length of Service Awards Program to recognize the contributions of <br /> 9 the County's firefighters. The Chief's Council proposed and approved the program criteria to <br /> 10 recognize personnel from the ten (10) in-county fire departments and one (1) volunteer rescue <br /> 11 squad that have provided at least 20 years of service or were retiring from service with a <br /> 12 minimum of 20 years. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 To honor and recognize the service of fire service personnel, Orange County will present <br /> 15 service award certificates at the following intervals: <br /> 16 20 years <br /> 17 Every 5 years thereafter <br /> 18 <br /> 19 To honor and recognize the fire service personnel who will be retiring each fiscal year, the <br /> 20 Board will consider proclamations recognizing the individual's achievements and contributions <br /> 21 at the following intervals: <br /> 22 Any time at or beyond 20 years of service <br /> 23 <br /> 24 Emergency Services drafted the process for each department to submit names and <br /> 25 accomplishments. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services Director, thanked the Board for recognizing fire <br /> 28 services personnel in the community. He said they provide exceptional service. He thanked the <br /> 29 firefighters for what they do. <br /> 30 <br /> 31 Commissioner McKee read the following proclamation: <br /> 32 <br /> 33 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 34 <br /> 35 PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING <br /> 36 WILLIAM BLANKENSHIP <br /> 37 RETIRING BATTALION CHIEF, CHAPEL HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT <br /> 38 <br /> 39 <br /> 40 WHEREAS, in 1993, Mr. William Blankenship embarked on a career of public service by joining <br /> 41 the Chapel Hill Fire Department as a full-time firefighter; and <br /> 42 <br /> 43 WHEREAS, Mr. Blankenship made numerous contributions to the Chapel Hill Fire Department <br /> 44 and ultimately reached the rank of Battalion Chief; and <br /> 45 <br /> 46 WHEREAS, throughout his professional career, William Blankenship helped advance the <br /> 47 Chapel Hill Fire Department by serving in a variety of roles including Training Captain, Captain, <br /> 48 and ultimately as a Battalion Chief; and <br /> 49 <br /> 50 WHEREAS, through his dedication and service to the residents of Chapel Hill and the greater <br /> 51 Orange County community, Mr. Blankenship directly contributed to creating a safer and more <br />