87R5576 CJM-D
By: Bell of Kaufman H.R. No. 287
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Chief Rick Townsend concluded his tenure with the
Forney Fire Department on April 10, 2020, following more than four
decades of outstanding service to the agency; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed first responder began his career with
what was then the Forney Volunteer Fire Department on April 10,
1976; he continued to serve the VFD in a number of roles even after
joining the Garland Fire Department two years later, and he retired
from his job as a firefighter in Garland in 2006 to assume the
position of Forney fire chief; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his tenure with the Forney FD,
Chief Townsend saw the department transition from a volunteer
organization to a professional agency with dozens of full-time
employees at two fire stations; under his guidance, the department
developed partnerships with a number of other emergency response
organizations in the region, and he was instrumental in
establishing the annual "Toys for Forney Kids" drive; and
WHEREAS, Rick Townsend has demonstrated an exceptional
commitment to protecting the lives and property of his fellow
citizens, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his long record of
achievement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Rick Townsend on his retirement as
chief of the Forney Fire Department and extend to him sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Chief Townsend as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.