April 19, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2001-27) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org MOBILE FIRE CHIEF MAKES HISTORIC PROMOTIONS On Friday, April 20, 2001 at 8:30 a.m. at the Central Fire Station downtown, Mobile Fire Chief Stephen A. Dean will hold promotion ceremonies and make three historic promotions within the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department. For the first time in the department's history three black firefighters will be promoted to high level positions within the department. Assistant Fire Marshal Mark J. Trenier, 48 and a 22.7-year veteran, will be the first black promoted to the level of Fire Marshal for the City of Mobile. Trenier also became the first black firefighter to be promoted to Assistant Fire Marshal in August of 1999. Also, Dean will promote two black firefighters to the level of District Fire Chief. Captain Mark Hansberry, 36, a 12.8 year veteran and Captain Alex G. Trenier, 39, a 14 year veteran will be promoted to District Fire Chief. Hansberry has been a Fire Captain since May of 1995 and Trenier since February of 1994. Also being promoted will be Fire Inspector William C. "Cubby" Sellers, 48, a 27.4-year veteran and Fire Inspector since October of 1994, to the position of Assistant Fire Marshal. Dean will also promote two Firefighters to the position of Driver. They are Charles A. Krout, 37 a 5.5 year veteran and Carlton T. Norsworthy, 33 a 3.3 year veteran. Mark and Alex Trenier are brothers and from a long family tradition of firefighters in the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department. Fire Marshal Trenier will be in charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, which is responsible for enforcing the fire codes in Mobile as well as the investigation of fires that occur. Chief's Hansberry and Trenier will be assigned as shift supervisors in 1 of the 3 fire districts in Mobile. ###