1.1A Senate resolution
1.2congratulating Clearwater Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon on his retirement.
1.3WHEREAS, Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon is retiring after serving more than 25 years as a
1.4firefighter in Minnesota; and
1.5WHEREAS, Pridgeon's career began in 1995 when he moved to Oak Grove and applied for
1.6a position as a daytime firefighter with the Oak Grove Fire Department; and
1.7WHEREAS, Pridgeon lived only a mile away from the fire station and was the first to respond
1.8to calls for years. He served ten years with the Oak Grove department, winning Firefighter of the
1.9Year in 2005; and
1.10WHEREAS, later that year Pridgeon and his wife, Lisa, moved their family to Clearwater
1.11where Pridgeon was quick to join the Clearwater Fire Department; and
1.12WHEREAS, Pridgeon's expertise in the field was a huge asset to the department where more
1.13than half of the firefighters were new to firefighting; and
1.14WHEREAS, Pridgeon was promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain before being chosen
1.15as Fire Chief in 2014; and
1.16WHEREAS, Pridgeon took pride in making a positive impact on the department and the
1.17community during his time as Fire Chief, counting among his accomplishments securing a raise
1.18for the firefighters, replacing the department's ATV and trailer, and purchasing a replacement for
1.19Engine 12; and
1.20WHEREAS, as a firefighter Pridgeon bravely risked his life and sacrificed time with his
1.21family to serve his community. In his retirement Pridgeon is looking forward to spending more
1.22time at his cabin and being with his wife, children, and grandchildren; and
2.1NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
2.2congratulates Ryan Pridgeon on his many years of outstanding service to the fire departments of
2.3Oak Grove and Clearwater and commends his passion for firefighting and his service to his
2.4community.
2.5BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.6enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.7Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Ryan Pridgeon.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Jeremy R. MillerChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Andrew MathewsState Senator, District 15