Label
Council Members Morris, Moline and Williams
Title
Designating the intersection of Orange and Huron, in honor of Toledo Fire & Rescue Department Assistant Chief Robert J. Schwanzl, as “Toledo Fire & Rescue Department Assistant Chief Robert J. Schwanzl Memorial Place”.
Summary
WHEREAS, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department (TFRD) Assistant Chief Robert J. Schwanzl, was a 40-year Toledo firefighter who retired as assistant fire chief, and was a longtime leader of the Toledo Firefighters Museum; and
WHEREAS, Chief Schwanzl was appointed a Toledo firefighter Sept. 1, 1958, and retired on March 5, 1998; later that year, he received a Distinguished Service Award during an Ohio Fire Marshal honors dinner; and
WHEREAS, Chief Schwanzl served a as President of the Toledo Firefighters Museum, located on West Sylvania Avenue in a former fire station where he once served. He regaled visitors, with vivid stories of the exhibits and artifacts, the building, and his brother firefighters; and
WHEREAS, Chief Schwanzl was born June 14, 1933, in Toledo to Alma and Wilbur Schwanzl and was a 1951 graduate of Central Catholic High School; was an Army veteran, discharged as a sergeant after paratrooper training stateside at the end of the Korean War and then duty in a Washington-area intelligence unit. Years later he received an associates in fire science from Owens Community College; and
WHEREAS, he served at stations No. 5, then at Broadway and Logan Street; at the former No. 7, which then faced Bancroft Street, at the former No. 18 - the future museum - and the new No. 18 on Lewis Avenue, and No. 25 on Central Avenue; and advanced in rank, becoming a district chief in 1981 and later a deputy chief and assistant chief; and
WHEREAS, Chief Schwanzl oversaw training and then the fire prevention bureau. Under his leadership, Toledo became the first Ohio Fire Department to require emergency medical training for every firefighter. He helped update of the city's fire code, developed the physical competency test for firefighters. A natural mentor, Chief Schwanzl was an integral part of diversifying TFRD. He freely gave his time to recruits and candidates of all background-- sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm. It was during his tenure that the first nine women joined the fire service; NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That, in honor of Toledo Fire & Rescue Department Assistant Chief Robert J. Schwanzl’s 40 years of exemplary service to the Toledo community and post-retirement dedication to the historic preservation of his profession, along with all of the men and women of the TFRD who similarly dedicate their service to the Toledo community, the intersection of Orange and Huron are officially designated as “Toledo Fire & Rescue Department Assistant Chief Robert J. Schwanzl Memorial Place”.
SECTION 2. That street marker signs at the intersection of Orange and Huron streets, in addition to contemporary standard uniform inscriptions, also carry the abbreviated sub-inscription, “RJ SCHWANZL PL”.
SECTION 3. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.
Adopted: June 7, 2022,: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: June 8, 2022
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor