September 27, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-39)
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
R. Steve Huffman
Public Information Officer
(251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813
E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org
SEPTEMBER FIREFIGHTER OF THE MONTH
Firefighter Christopher “Chris” C. Turner, 34, an eight year veteran of the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department has been selected Firefighter of the Month for September. Turner was nominated by fellow Firefighter Dale Shaw who was Firefighter of the Month for April.
Shaw was nominated for all the work and hours he put into helping fellow Firefighter Kenny Milligan who was busy taking care of his 15-year-old son, K.J., who was battling cancer and was undergoing treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Milligan’s home was also destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Turner assisted with spearheading a drive to collect a year's worth of donated vacation/sick leave from fellow firefighters so Milligan would remain on the payroll. After Hurricane Katrina, Milligan bought a house after hardly seeing it or knowing that it was in such disrepair so he could get back to his son at the hospital.
There were holes in the wall, the air-conditioning had problems and the master bathroom had been completely gutted. Turner helped gather a volunteer workforce to help renovate and repair the house so it was livable. Turner, Shaw and the other volunteers replaced all the floors, installed granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, and painted the rooms. Turner also assisted in soliciting and collecting donations of new household furnishings and goods for Milligan and his family so when they came home on April 12, 2006, they'd have a beautiful house in which to call home. According to Shaw he could not have done any of these things without the assistance of Turner.
Because of his tireless effort in helping a fellow firefighter, Turner was given this honor. The Pleasant Valley Opportunity Club (formally the Optimist Club) sponsors the Firefighter of the Month program and made the presentation on Wednesday, September 27, 2006.
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