ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDNews) — Service, dedication and achievement took center stage Monday night as the Enterprise Fire Department held its annual holiday meeting, recognizing its Firefighters of the Year, highlighting accomplishments, and honoring personnel reaching milestone years of service.
“We honor individuals who did not ask for recognition, but earned it through consistent character and unwavering reliability,” Enterprise Fire Chief Christopher Davis said, setting the tone for an evening focused on leadership, dedication and teamwork.
Each Firefighter of the Year was selected by colleagues on their shift, reflecting those whom their peers viewed as the strongest examples of leadership, skill and commitment throughout 2025.
On A Shift, Captain Jimmy Willis was recognized for his fairness, depth of knowledge and lead-from-the-front approach during both major incidents and routine calls. Davis commended Willis’s steady command during the CSM Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home fire, where he led the response until command transitioned upon Davis’s arrival.
On B Shift, Senior Firefighter Matthew Denson received the award for his work ethic, leadership and team-first mentality. Denson recently completed his final shift with Enterprise Fire after earning a degree in emergency management. He has transitioned to Houston County EMA, which Davis described as a reflection of both his capability and his continued service to the region.
On C Shift, Senior Firefighter Michael “Chris” Gillis was honored for consistent dedication, operational knowledge and willingness to go above and beyond. Gillis helped secure a Homeland Security grant that funded new Haz-Mat equipment and partially funded a new brush truck, improving capability while saving taxpayer dollars. He also assisted in acquiring a sked unit for the department’s ATV, expanding patient transport and wildland suppression in difficult-to-reach areas.
The department also presented milestone service pins, celebrating firefighters whose careers reflect years of commitment to the community. Ten-year pins were awarded to Senior Firefighters Garrett Keller, Christopher Downing and Stetson Webb. Twenty-year recognitions went to Senior Firefighters Nathan Peterman and Richard Bolin, Captains Jimmy Willis and Bill Carmichael, and Battalion Chief Cornelius Boulton. Battalion Chief Bryan Turner received the 25-year service honor.
Chief Davis also acknowledged the families in attendance.
“Every call we answer asks something of you as well. Your sacrifice of time and your steadfast support allow this department to serve with courage and excellence,” he said. “We wear the uniform, but you carry the weight of the nights alone, the missed moments, and the constant worry. Thank you. Your quiet strength makes our service possible.”
Davis went on to highlight major operational achievements in 2025, including the department’s largest smoke detector blitz to date, aimed at ensuring every home in the city has a working alarm. Equipment and facility upgrades included a new brush truck and new flooring at Eastside Fire Station, and additional personnel were approved by the Enterprise City Council to expand service capacity.
Looking ahead, Davis said the department will continue investing in response capability and infrastructure. A new ladder truck is scheduled for 2026, followed by a new engine in 2027. Flooring upgrades are planned for Westside and Central Stations, and workforce expansion is expected as the community grows.
“While these improvements matter, our annual meeting is more than a celebration of another year of service,” Davis said. “It is a time to recognize the bonds formed standing shoulder to shoulder for the people of Enterprise and for each other. This department is a family, and any room we gather in becomes a place of pride, purpose, and gratitude.”