HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #02 - Discussion ItemC
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
HATER -OFFICE N`I1E,v1GRAAI0UNi
TO Cesar H. Odio , ,-_- Decemb,e'r10, i986 -
City Manager `tL`
Retir6Mt!nt`
FROM K. E. McCullough, Chief REF':'""=='
Director of Fire, Rescue
and Inspection Services
I am announcing my retirement effective January 4, 1987, after 34-
1/2 years of service with the City of Miami Fire Department. As a
Fire Fighter, the City of has provided me with the opportunity to
provide a good living and security for my family, as well as many
lifelong friendships which my wife and I both cherish.
In 1952, when I chose Firefighting as my profession, Henry Chase wa:
the Fire Chief, and the tallest building in the City of Miami was
the Dade County Courthouse. I have had the opportunity to serve my
fellowman and to save a few lives, and I hope that my service has
had an impact on the ability of this Department to perform its
functions at the high level for which it is recognized.
I have served as a Fire Fighter, Driver Engineer, Paramedic, Aerial
Officer, Assistant Director of Training, Chief of the Rescue
Division, Fire Marshal, Deputy Chief of Administrative Services, any
Fire Chief. Many of the proudest moments came in the 60's and 70's
during the development of the Paramedic Program as we know it today,
and working with the University of Miami, Dr. Eugene Nagel, and Dr.
Jim Hirschman in the development of Paramedic skills and field
testing much of the equipment which is used today to provide
lifesaving Paramedic service.
In my remarks at all Fire Recruit graduations, I urge them to do
their best and not to be afraid to take a chance, and I use a quote
by Theodore Roosevelt to emphasize my point. To express my
feelings, I would like to paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt. 86It's not
the critic that counts, not the man who points out how the strong
man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better
I have been in the arena and I have been marred by dust and sweat
and blood. On occasion, I have erred and come up short again and
again. I have known the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, an,
know I have spent myself in a worthy cause. I have known the
triumph of high achievement and on a few occasions I may have faile(
greatly, but my place will never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory nor defeat.*
•
�1