Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department recognized several recently promoted personnel in Council Chambers at City Hall Thursday, August 11.

The department welcomed a new Fire Marshal, Assistant Fire Marshal, Training Coordinator, Captain/Shift Training Officer, two Captain/Shift Inspectors, 12 Captains, and 14 Engineers.

Promotions were as follows:

• Fire Marshal: Carl Peas
• Assistant Fire Marshal: Clay Malone
• Training Coordinator: Jeff Wright
• Captain/Shift Training Officer: Tracy Summar
• Captain/Shift Inspector: Adam P. Brown, Jason Hayes

• Captain: Brian Burgess, David Cranford, Brian Creager, Scott Duncan, Clay Estes, David Frost, Bo Jones, Tim Lampitt, Raleigh Marlin, Josh Oliver, Paul Oliver, and Matt Welcome.
• Engineer: Chad Davis, John Flynt, Jeff Harris, Josh Parsons, Joe Pennington, Charles Powell, Greg Robinson, David Simms, Wesley Slager, Andy Smithson, Troy Tayse, Mitchell Whittenburg, Kyle Winnett, and Matt Young.

In front of a packed house, left with standing room only, Mayor Shane McFarland spoke candidly about how these are "tough times" to be a service provider. He then mentioned how children look up to Firefighters and respect them. "My prayer is that we always see our service providers in the eyes of a child." He also expressed his appreciation to the group for keeping the community safe and said, "not a single day goes by that we aren't proud of what you do."

City Manager Rob Lyons thanked the families that were present. He discussed how parents helped prepare their children for a life in public service and how family members support the unusual 24-hour shift lifestyle. Lyons said if he could give one piece of advice about promotional ceremonies, it would be that pinning the badge it the toughest part!

Fire Rescue Chief Mark Foulks assured city leadership that each person being promoted earned their new position. He discussed how their experience is a huge benefit to the department and will be even more so in their new roles. "They are well-trained, well-versed, and will be outstanding leaders," he said.

Each individual was pinned by either a family member, a co-worker, or a dear friend.

Just before the conclusion of the ceremony, Chief Foulks announced a "special badge" to be pinned on Captain/Shift Inspector Lee Douglas. For many years, Captain Douglas served as the department's instructor for Critical Incident Stress Management, lead debriefings after tragic calls, visited hospitals, and many other activities that assisted with helping others in need. Chief Foulks called Douglas and his wife Brenda up to officially declare him the department's "Chaplain," as the room erupted into applause!

Douglas thanked Chief Foulks for the honor, showed gratitude to the audience for supporting him, and vowed to continue to do his best in supporting his brothers in sisters in uniform.