Title
Proclaiming February 26th, 2025 as Mike Smith Day in the City of Saint Paul.
Body
WHEREAS, Mike Smith was appointed to the Fire Department on March 2nd, 1998, He was first elected to IAFF Local 21 executive Board in 2000 and promoted to Fire Captain on December 9th, 2006; and
WHEREAS, Mike was elected as IAFF Local 21 President in 2010, went on to be reelected 4 consecutive times, and was president for 15 years, which is the longest tenure in the 107-year history of Local 21; and
WHEREAS, during his 27 years of service, Mike served as a firefighter on Engine 7 and then Squad 1, after being promoted to Captain, Mike was Captain of Ladder 8 and then was the Captain of Rescue Squad 1 for 12 years; and
WHEREAS, during Mike’s tenure as president he has presided over a 34% increase to base firefighter wages. During Mike’s presidency, IAFF Local 21 has expanded by over 60 new members, the largest expansion of the local in 100 years; and
WHEREAS, Mike was a recipient of the prestigious Local Leadership Award from the 2024 IAFF biennial convention; and
WHEREAS, Mike has been instrumental in gaining state line of duty death benefits for the family of fallen St. Paul Fire Captain Mike Paidar, the very first line-of duty death from occupational cancer recognized by the State of Minnesota, Mike did not stop there and appealed to the federal government for the Paidar family to receive similar benefits at the federal level, resulting in the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act being introduced in the House and Senate; and
WHEREAS, Mike has served as a mentor and friend to countless firefighters throughout their career both from a professional as well as a labor perspective, his steady and strong leadership will be dearly missed; and
WHEREAS, Mike married his best friend Janet on May 6th, 1995 and they have 4 wonderful children- Noah, Jack, Sean, and Olivia; and
WHEREAS, Mike's retirement is entirely well-deserved, which is proof that his leadership both on the fireground and at the union hall will be dearly missed and difficult to replace. As much a mentor as a leader, Mike helped to develop the future firefighters and union leaders, ensuring that both the fire department and its union will be in good hands for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council proclaims February 26th, 2025 as Mike Smith Day in the City of Saint Paul.