Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 22

RESOLUTION CHAPTER 107

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 22—Relative to the CAL FIRE Firefighter Christopher Lee Douglas Memorial Highway.

[Filed with Secretary of State July 16, 2015.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 22, Morrell. CAL FIRE Firefighter Christopher Lee Douglas Memorial Highway.

This measure would designate a 5-mile portion of Interstate 10 as the CAL FIRE Firefighter Christopher Lee Douglas Memorial Highway. The measure would also request the Department of Transportation to erect appropriate signs, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing this special designation and to cover the cost of those signs from nonstate sources previously secured.

WHEREAS, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Firefighter Christopher Lee Douglas passed away in the line of duty on July 5, 2013, at 41 years of age, while responding to a traffic accident in Riverside County; and

WHEREAS, Firefighter Douglas was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and attended Widefield High School. He later attended Palomar College in Vista, California, graduating at the top of his class and earning his paramedic license; and

WHEREAS, Firefighter Douglas was an 11-year veteran of the United States Air Force, enlisting in 1992. While stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant, attended Airman Leadership School, and was a Missile and Space Systems Maintenance Apprentice. During his Air Force career, he earned the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with 1 device, the Air Force Training Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Firefighter Douglas had a passion for firefighting, beginning his career as a volunteer firefighter paramedic in 1999. At his graduation ceremony from the Company Officer’s Academy, he received the Carpe Diem Award for leadership. In 2004, Firefighter Douglas began his career with CAL FIRE at La Quinta Fire Station #32 as a Firefighter II/Paramedic and was promoted to Fire Apparatus Engineer/Paramedic on June 4, 2013; and

WHEREAS, In his spare time, Firefighter Douglas enjoyed surfing, playing the guitar, cooking, working on cars, traveling, and spending time with his friends. Above all else, he valued spending time with his family; and

WHEREAS, On July 5, 2013, Firefighter Douglas was leaving the scene of a medical emergency when his fire engine was dispatched to another call, a traffic accident. While preparing to respond to the traffic accident, Firefighter Douglas was struck by a pickup truck while he was along the side of his fire engine, and succumbed to his injuries a few hours later; and

WHEREAS, Firefighter Douglas is survived by his mother, Rose Porter, sister, Heather Douglas, brother, Martin Douglas, and his parents-in-law, Ronald and Sheryl Aitken; and his loving wife, Amy, and their three-year-old son, Samuel, and four-month-old daughter, Bridget; and

WHEREAS, Firefighter Douglas exemplified the professionalism, work ethic, and dedication for which CAL FIRE firefighters are known. He touched the lives of many, is truly missed by all who knew him, and will never be forgotten; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the contributions of CAL FIRE Firefighter Christopher Lee Douglas to the people of California and hereby designates the five-mile portion of Interstate 10 from the 22nd Street undercrossing to the Malki Road undercrossing in Banning, California, as the CAL FIRE Firefighter Christopher Lee Douglas Memorial Highway; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to erect appropriate signs, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system, showing this special designation and to cover the cost of those signs from nonstate sources previously secured; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Director of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.



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