1.1A Senate resolution
1.2congratulating Edina Fire Chief Tom Schmitz on his retirement.
1.3WHEREAS, Tom Schmitz, a Bloomington, Minnesota, native, has enjoyed a lengthy career
1.4in fire and rescue, beginning in 1982 when he joined the United States Air Force as a medic, serving
1.5our country until 1986; and
1.6WHEREAS, in 1993, Tom joined the Edina Fire Department as a paramedic and firefighter.
1.7Six years later, Tom was promoted to Battalion Chief, a job that included overseeing the fire
1.8department's training and safety programs and supervising paid-on-call firefighters. Tom also helped
1.9form the Special Operations Team and oversaw construction and operations of the South Metro
1.10Public Safety Training Facility; and
1.11WHEREAS, Tom moved to Eden Prairie, Minnesota, in 2011, rising through the ranks to
1.12served as Lieutenant and then as Assistant Fire Chief for the city of Eden Prairie until 2014; and
1.13WHEREAS, in February 2014, Tom returned to the Edina Fire Department to serve as Fire
1.14Chief, a position he attained after many years of service in the fire departments of Edina and Eden
1.15Prairie; and
1.16WHEREAS, in February 2021, after 25 years of dedicated service to the city of Edina, Fire
1.17Chief Tom Schmitz is retiring from his position. Tom will continue to teach while he enjoys his
1.18retirement; and
1.19WHEREAS, Fire Chief Tom Schmitz will be honored at a private ceremony prior to his
1.20retirement at Edina Fire Station 1; and
1.21NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.22congratulates Tom Schmitz on his retirement and thanks him for his years of dedicated service to
1.23the cities of Eden Prairie and Edina.
2.1BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.2enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.3Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Tom Schmitz.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Melisa FranzenState Senator, District 49