Resolution 200523

..Title Honoring and congratulating Lisa Forrest on the occasion of her promotion to Battalion Chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department, and for becoming the first African American woman to earn this prestigious position in the 149-year history of the Philadelphia Fire Department. ..Body WHEREAS, Lisa Forrest is a life-long Philadelphian, born and raised in the Mount Airy section of the City. Forrest attended Pennsylvania State University and served in the United States Army; and WHEREAS, Following her military service, Forrest returned to Philadelphia and took the Fire Department exam. Forrest was inspired to join the Philadelphia Fire Department by the bravery shown by first responders on 9/11; and WHEREAS, The Fire Department attempted to call Forrest to report to the academy, but failed to reach her. A member of the Club Valiants, the City's association of African American firefighters, knocked on her door and spoke to her mother. The Club Valiants knock on the door of every African American recruit who has not responded to department notifications. Forrest credits the Club Valiants' determination for her involvement in the Philadelphia Fire Department. Forest now serves on the board of the Club Valiants; and WHEREAS, Forrest's academy class - Class 178 - had just ten female enrollees in a class of about 100 recruits. Forrest, standing at just under 5 feet tall, quickly made a name for herself in the Department due to her hard-working nature, and earned the nickname "Lionheart" from Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers for being a fierce warrior who runs through barriers and obstacles; and WHEREAS, Forrest's first assignment was to Engine 51 in Olney. She originally planned to stay with the department for just 5 years to earn her nursing degree, but was promoted to Lieutenant in 2008. Forrest remained with the Department and was later promoted to Captain in 2013. Throughout her tenure with the Department, she has served the neighborhoods of North Philly, Mount Airy and West Philly; and WHEREAS, Forrest is a mother of two children - Ariel, 12 and Tyson, 1 - and lives with her partner Ty in Northeast Philly; and WHEREAS, On Tuesday, September 29, 2020, Forrest's perseverance and leadership will be honored at a promotion ceremony, where she will be named Battalion Chief. She is the first ever African American woman to be named a Battalion Chief with the Philadelphia Fire Department; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and congratulates Lisa Forrest on the occasion of her promotion to Battalion Chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department, and for becoming the first African American woman to earn this prestigious position in the 149-year history of the Philadelphia Fire Department. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Battalion Chief Lisa Forrest as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body. ..End