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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/26/2010, B1 - DEDICATION OF THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IN HONOR OF FIRE CHIEF JOHN CALLAHAN council MRw�Dak 8-26-10 j acEnda Repout �N�m CITY O F SAN LU 15 O B I S P O FROM: Deborah Linden, Chief of Police(P SUBJECT: DEDICATION OF THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IN HONOR OF FIRE CHIEF JOHN CALLAHAN RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution dedicating,the recently constructed Emergency Communications Center as the "John W. Callahan Memorial Emergency Communications Center" in honor of Fire Chief John Callahan's leadership and contributions to the City of San Luis Obispo during his tenure as Fire Chief. DISCUSSION Fire Chief John W. Callahan was appointed Chief of the City of San Luis Obispo Fire Department by former City Administrative Officer Ken Hampian on November 1, 2005. Chief Callahan has served this community throughout his tenure with integrity, professionalism, vision, passion, and humor. Since Chief Callahan's unexpected death on August 18, 2010, there has been a tremendous outpouring of support and condolences and a great deal of discussion of a means by which to appropriately honor Chief Callahan's service to the City organization and to the San Luis Obispo community. One suggestion that seems particularly fitting is the dedication of the newly opened Emergency Communications Center (Dispatch Center) in Chief Callahan's honor. Chief Callahan has been closely involved in the development of the Emergency Communications Center and worked collaboratively with City staff to make the successful opening of the Dispatch Center a reality and to ensure the dispatchers would feel welcome in their new work location. In fact, the "cut-over" from the old dispatch center located at the Police Department to the new Emergency Communications Center located adjacent to Fire Station 1 took place as scheduled just hours after Chief Callahan's death. While the City does have a policy for the naming of Parks and Recreation facilities, staff is not aware of a policy governing the dedication of other City facilities. However, the Council may find the criteria established for the naming of Parks & Recreation facilities instructive in considering this recommendation. That policy provides, as relevant here, that the "Naming of facilities may be made for individuals or groups who have made significant contributions or service to the City of San Luis Obispo and its citizens." While Chief Callahan's tenure with our City was not long, his impact on his Department, his colleagues and co-workers, and the organizations and community he served has been profound. John's leadership as our Fire Chief commanded the respect and admiration of the City organization and his peers in the fire service. Prior to his service with the City, Chief Callahan had a distinguished 32-year career with the City of Los Angeles Fire Department, where he worked his way up through the ranks and retired as Deputy Chief, second in command of that agency. John's expertise, judgment, and perspective I l Dedication of the Emergency Communications Center / Page 2 gained through his years of service were an amazing asset to the Department and the City. He set an extremely high bar for professionalism and strong leadership in the fire service. John's personal commitment and compassion, and his partnership with his wife Lynne, were equally inspiring, both to his colleagues and community members. Together John and Lynne have developed strong bonds and nurtured lasting relationships based on service to and a deep affinity for the place that they intended to make their lifelong home. In addition to being a well liked and respected fire chief, John served our community as a Board member of the local YMCA, as a volunteer for Court Appointed Special.Advocates (CASA), and as a Board member of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. John was committed both in his career and in his personal life to service to the City and his community. Accordingly, it is staff's recommendation that the Council approve the dedication of the Emergency Communications Center as a fitting honor to Fire Chief John Callahan, whose personal and professional legacy in our community will continue far beyond his death. CONCURRENCES The Police and Fire Departments, and all other City Department Heads, concur with this recommendation. FISCAL IMPACT There will be some cost associated with signage at the facility to reflect the dedication; however, the fiscal impact is expected to be minimal and can be accommodated without further appropriations. ALTERNATIVES Do not approve the dedication. This is not recommended, given the contribution of John Callahan to the City of San Luis Obispo during his tenure as Fire Chief. ATTACHMENT Resolution Dedicating Emergency Communications Center \\chstore4\Team\Attorney\Fire Department\Callahan Memorial\CAR.Dispatch Dedication.2010.8.26.doc ATTACHMENT RESOLUTION NO. (2010 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO DEDICATING THE SAN LUIS OBISPO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IN HONOR OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY FIRE CHIEF JOHN W. CALLAHAN WHEREAS., Chief John W. Callahan was appointed Chief of the City of San Luis Obispo Fire Department on November 1, 2005; and WHEREAS, prior to his appointment as San Luis Obispo City Fire Chief, Chief Callahan had a distinguished 32-year career with the City of Los Angeles Fire Department, where he retired as Deputy Chief, second in command of that agency; and WHEREAS, Chief Callahan's leadership commanded the respect and admiration of his Department, the City organization, and his peers in the fire service; and WHEREAS,.Chief Callahan set a high bar for professionalism and excellence that will have a lasting effect on the San Luis Obispo Fire Department; and WHEREAS, Chief Callahan faithfully served the entire San Luis Obispo Community through his participation as a Board member of the local YMCA, as a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and as a Board member of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa; and WHEREAS, Chief Callahan's support and guidance were instrumental to the successful development of the City's newly opened Emergency Communications Center; and WHEREAS, Chief Callahan was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, colleague, community member, and role model, both professionally and personally; and WHEREAS, Chief Callahan's personal and professional legacy will benefit our community and the Fire Department he led far beyond his death. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo: SECTION 1. In recognition of Chief John Callahan's outstanding leadership and committed service to the City of San Luis Obispo, the City of San Luis Obispo Emergency Communications Center shall hereafter be dedicated as the "John W. Callahan Memorial Emergency Communications Center." SECTION 2. A proclamation memorializing this dedication shall be provided to the Callahan family in appreciation of Chief Callahan's dedicated service to the City. R Resolution No. (2010 Series) riTTACHM 4T Page 2 Upon motion of seconded by and on the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this 26th day of August 2010. Mayor David F. Romero ATTEST: Elaina Cano City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: 1 pristine Dietrick City Attorney