Last Friday, I was blessed to be able to attend a retirement ceremony for a colleague of mine, Fire Chief Dell Urban of the North Chicago Fire Department. She retired with almost 30 years of dedicated service to her community. Even though it was in the 90’s that day, no one complained and everyone was happy to be there for this joyous occasion. More than 100 men, women and children packed the apparatus bay. including family (one relative travelled all the way from Seattle), friends, area fire chiefs, local and state elected officials, and a number of North Chicago residents. This amazing illustration of support was much more than that. It was also a demonstration of love and respect.
Chief Urban is the consummate professional – a person of integrity who is genuine, caring, humble and inspiring. She embodies the essence of a servant leader. She is selfless, always placing her department and her community ahead of herself. But more than anything else, she is a good person.
Fire Chief Dell Urban set the bar high for herself. She also set the bar high for the rest of us to reach.
Congratulations on your retirement Chief Urban. May the next chapter of your life be even more fulfilling!!!