John Trenier Named March Firefighter of the Month

MOBILE, Ala. – The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department proudly recognizes Fire Service Driver John Trenier as the March 2023 Firefighter of the Month. Driver Trenier began his fire service career in October of 2016, promoting to the rank of Driver in May 2022.

Though Driver Trenier officially started his career as a first responder within the last, several years, the Trenier Family has had members within the City of Mobile’s fire department for generations. From an early age, John Trenier was raised by and around firefighters and other first responders, who instilled in him the importance of dedicating himself to serving others. Driver Trenier has a servant’s heart, by blood, by design, and by choice. Trenier maintains a fantastic work ethic on-duty, doing all that is required of him and more. His passion for serving his communities extends far beyond his duties in a 24-hour shift.

As an integral piece of a 3-person brain trust, including Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator Joshua Jones and Public Affairs Manager Charlette Solis, John Trenier created and implemented a special, mentorship program involving firefighters and law enforcement officers – Brothers in Blue. Brothers in Blue became an opportunity for local first responders to connect with and inspire high-risk youth through community-based mentoring.

Through Trenier and company’s leadership, Brothers in Blue coordinated with Strickland Youth Center, University of South Alabama ROTC, and local U.S. Army recruiters to host retreats for young women and men to engage with uniformed service members in fun-filled, trust-building activities. These retreats allowed potential mentors and mentees to connect and engage as people, rather than badges and offenders or patients. However, Driver Trenier recognized that Brothers in Blue represented just a fraction of what might become something larger for helping kids in and around Mobile.

During National Mentoring Month (January), the Brothers in Blue officially partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Gulf Coast, allowing for even greater expansion and growth in mentoring. The Brothers in Blue would now be called Bigs with Badges and include not only responders with Mobile Fire-Rescue and Mobile Police Departments, but would also extend invitations to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office (Deputies and Corrections Officers), the District Attorney’s Office, all regional public safety, military personnel, and all, uniformed service members in Mobile County, Baldwin County, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Thanks to Driver Trenier’s vision and compassion, local first responders have been given invaluable opportunities to touch the lives of young people, outside of emergency settings, shaping the future of our communities in a positive way.