Donald L. Parker is a retired police officer with the city of Centerville after 33 years in law enforcement. He recently received his 30 year award of service as a volunteer firefighter/EMT from the Kettering Fire Department. He was a Kettering Fire Department Lieutenant and Battalion Officer as well as Fire Incident Safety officer. He recently survived falling from the roof of his home Christmas Day with many thanks to fellow volunteer firefighters and Para-Medics with the City of Kettering that came to his rescue.

Donald has received an Exemplary Service award from the Montgomery County Association of Police Chiefs for his 15 years participation with the Knight Blaze police and fire band. The Knight Blaze Band was a band of police officers and fire personnel from Montgomery County departments that performed at schools and community events presenting the D.A.R.E. program message “You don’t need drugs or alcohol to have a good time and no violence”. The Knight Blaze band promoted a positive image to children and citizens to relate to police and fire agencies. He has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Miami Valley Crime Prevention Association for his work with their program. He has also taught law enforcement courses, private security, American Red Cross First Aid and CPR, and OSHA at Sinclair Community College for more than 32 years.

Donald's career and community involvement has been noted as well from other resources. He has many specialized certifications in law enforcement and fire including Weapons of Mass Destruction awareness training after 9-11. He has also obtained a Certificate of Achievement for Incident Command for federal disaster workers from the Emergency Management Institute. Donald received a Commendation by the Centerville Police Department for helping rescue a young boy in a house fire as well.

Donald is currently a Coordinator and Sectional Net Operator with Dayton Skywarn since 2007. Skywarn is a National Weather Service network of volunteer citizens, public service and emergency management people that provide the National Weather Service with first-hand weather spotting observations during severe weather. Amateur radio Operators help provide information for faster, more accurate reporting to help make communities aware of severe weather. This organization began after the deadly tornado that hit Xenia in 1974. This volunteer organization helps expedite severe weather warnings to the public to help keep the communities of the Miami Valley safe.

Kettering Holiday At Home Foundation is very pleased to honor Mr. Donald L. Parker as the 2012 Grand Marshal.