H.R. No. 1108
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Chief Don Crowson of the Arlington Fire Department
is retiring on May 31, 2023, drawing to a close an outstanding
career with the agency that has spanned four decades; and
WHEREAS, Don Crowson joined the Arlington Fire Department in
1983; he climbed the ranks in the decades that followed and was
appointed fire chief and director of emergency management in 2010;
during his time in that role, he has skillfully guided department
operations and played an instrumental role in overseeing the city's
response to natural disasters and other emergencies; moreover, he
has directed public safety operations for a number of major events,
including two World Series games and a Super Bowl; and
WHEREAS, In the course of his duties, Chief Crowson directs
the city's emergency management team and the 911 Dispatch Center,
and his wide-ranging responsibilities also include managing the
Arlington Emergency Medical Services System and chairing the
Tarrant County 911 District Board of Managers; in addition, he has
formed partnerships with other organizations to expand the fire
department's services and meet the needs of the community; in 2005,
he helped establish the agency's Bomb Squad, which has become the
largest explosive ordnance disposal unit in North Texas; and
WHEREAS, Under Chief Crowson's able leadership, the
Arlington Office of Emergency Management earned accreditation by
the Emergency Management Accreditation Program, becoming just the
sixth agency in the nation to receive that designation, and the
Arlington Fire Department earned the top Public Protection
Classification rating from the Insurance Services Office in 2017;
that same year, Chief Crowson became the first fire chief in the
nation to receive the American Medical Association's Dr. Nathan
Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service in the category of
career public servant at the local level; and
WHEREAS, Don Crowson's dedication, hard work, and commitment
to excellence have greatly benefited the citizens of Arlington and
earned him the respect and admiration of his fellow first
responders, and he may indeed reflect with pride on a career well
spent as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his life; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Chief Don Crowson on his retirement
from the Arlington 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 Crowson as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Turner
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1108 was adopted by the House on April
28, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House