Captain Robert Canterbury of the Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department has been named STARS award recipient for November 2015. Mayor Shane McFarland recognized Canterbury during the Nov. 19, 2015, meeting of the Murfreesboro City Council with the STARS award for Outstanding Performance: "Succeeding Through Attitudes Reflecting Service Excellence." The nomination stemmed from Canterbury's off-duty action to rescue two victims of a burning car crash.
Canterbury is another example of representing the City in a positive light, exhibiting the core values and creating a better quality of life for citizens.
Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Chief Mark Foulks presented Captain Canterbury with a Meritorious Service Coin and a Commendation Letter which stated: "Due to your swift reaction and quick thinking you helped save two lives. This is the perfect example of your servant's heart and your passion for helping your community whether you are on or off duty."
"Captain Canterbury's actions on November 14 exemplify his dedication as a public servant," said Chief Foulks. "While off duty, he risked his life to save the lives of others. I'm proud to have him as part of our department."
Captain Canterbury has served the City and the Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department as a firefighter since June 1994 and was recognized for his outstanding work as a Captain and firefighter for the Department. Captain Canterbury was nominated by Ashley McDonald.
In the nomination, the following narrative explanation was provided:
"Robert "Bobby" Canterbury had just pulled in the driveway, Saturday, November 14, 2015, when he heard a terrible crash out in front of his house on Hwy 269. He saw where an SUV came to a rest in front of a tree at the end of his driveway. He could see fire coming from the motor compartment and could tell that at least one person was pinned in that vehicle and another in the other vehicle. He immediately called 9-1-1 to report the accident and ask for help, but he also jumped into action.
He and his family started bringing buckets of water out to the car that was on fire, trying to douse the flames. He knew he had to get the male driver out and he and another man tried to get the door off of the vehicle, but were unsuccessful. Bobby went to his shop, got his tractor and chains and went back to the vehicle. He hooked the chains to the door, snatched the door with the tractor a few times and got it off. They were able to get the man out safely before the passenger side of the vehicle caught fire.
[In] the other vehicle was a young woman around 18. She was pinned as well and in and out of consciousness. Bobby assisted with patient care until EMS and the Fire Department came on [the] scene. Lifeflight was eventually dispatched to take the young woman to Vanderbilt [University Medical Center]. Bobby was off duty, but his Firefighter instincts and quick thinking allowed him to assist citizens in need. This was a great reflection of his personal character and also the professionalism of the men and women of MFRD."
The STARS Service Excellence program is intended to recognize outstanding employees who embody the city's standards for service excellence and exemplify the city's core service values. The purpose of the STARS award is to recognize and reward those employees who go above and beyond their normal job duties in providing outstanding customer service to internal and external customers.
In receiving the STARS Award, Letter of Commendation and Meritorious Service Coin, Canterbury expressed embarrassment for all the attention and said he "didn't do anything that his fellow firefighters' would have done in similar circumstances."
Congratulations to Captain Robert Canterbury for being named the recipient of the STARS Award for Outstanding Performance.