District Of Columbia Fire/EMS Department Dedicates a Fire Alarm Box in Honor and Memory of Sergeant John M Carter

 OCTOBER 25TH 2000

Over 100 firefighters from the District of Columbia Fire/EMS Department attended an emotional unveiling of a fire alarm box honoring Sgt. John M. Carter who was killed on October 24, 1997 at a store fire at 4th & Kennedy St's NW.

Several of the District of Columbia's City Council members who attended the memorial unveiling paid tribute to Carter stating that his death will never be forgotten by the citizens of the District of Columbia and by members of the city council.

Firefighter Lawrence Chapman III of Rescue Squad 3 of the District of Columbia Fire/EMS Department spent a year and a half getting the fire alarm placed back on the corner just one block from Carter's death. 

Chapman stated that a few days after Carters death, someone had placed a plaque on the fire alarm box that was on the corner with Carter's name and the box alarm number. However due to reconstruction of the sidewalks in the area, the Department of Public Works removed the alarm box not knowing it was honoring a fallen firefighter.

Chapman also stated that he hopes to place another fire alarm box near the location were Firefighter Tony Phillips of Engine Company 10 and Firefighter Lou Matthew's of Engine Company 26 were killed in the line of duty on May 30, 1998 while fighting a fire on Cherry Rd northeast.

Acting Fire Chief Ronnie Few stated that his main goal as fire chief is to see that when a firefighter goes on a run that he or she will return safely to the fire house.

Few also stated that he is taking part in a meeting this week and one of their main goals is firefighter safety. 

Lieutenant Ray Sneed of the District of Columbia Fire/EMS Department and President of Local 36 stated, we are here today to pay tribute to Carter who made the supreme sacrifice and that John Carter loved being a  firefighter, he loved being a DC firefighter.

Debbie Carter, wife of the late Firefighter said her family would like to thank the firefighters for keeping John's memory alive. Debbie stated it was and still is an honor to be called Mrs. John Carter. She also thanked everyone for their support, in closing she read a verse from a song that summed up how she felt. 

Many of the firefighters who attended the unveiling of the fire alarm box stated they hoped that the city officials will  understand how dangerous it is to be a firefighter and give them what they need to do the job they are paid to do and stop cutting the fire department's budget.

Since Carter's death the department has added the fifth firefighter to all ladder trucks as well as providing battalion aides to assist battalion chiefs on the fire ground. The department has also purchased new fire trucks and is planning to up grade their radio system in a few months.