It is my pleasure to present to you Firefighter Marcus Carpenter as Pelham Fire Departmentís recipient of the 2003, Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, Public Safety Award.  I am pleased to recognize Marcus at this time for both his outstanding contributions to the Pelham Fire Department mission here at home and elsewhere.  Here at home, never one to waste words, Marcus goes about his duties is a quiet deliberate fashion.  As a fire service professional, he is well respected by all who know him. 

Furthermore, Marcus can be counted upon to answer the call when emergencies arise beyond the geographic boundaries of Pelham.  During last yearís western fire season, Marcus, a nationally certified Wildland Firefighter, deployed to Oregon to one of the nations largest fires.  This season, he only recently completed a difficult tour in Montana.  More noteworthy still: in the spring of this year, Marcus, along with six other Pelham Firefighters, participated in the recovery of the Space Shuttle Columbia, a sad yet necessary task. 

Firefighter Carpenter has been a dedicated employee of The City of Pelham since April of 1990 and is professionally qualified at many levels. He is married to Lisa Carpenter, and they have two children, Scott and Amanda. Marcus and his family, reside in Moody, Alabama.

Gary W. Waters, Fire Chief