Fred joined the City of Rochester Hills in 1984 as the Beachfront Coordinator of the Thelma G. Spencer Park beach. The Spencer Park lifeguard staff he managed, accomplished a 27-year record of no drownings as a result of his great passion and skill in water safety. Fred's focus on developing effective safety standards and improved lifeguard protocols has helped the Spencer Park team continue this record after his passing.
Fred's Missing Child protocol gained statewide recognition in 2001, being the first successful resuscitation of a person found through a missing child procedure in the State of Michigan. Fred's safety record was well known and he received three Mayoral Proclamations from the City of Rochester Hills, one "Citizen Citation" award from the Oakland County Sheriff's Department and the mParks Vince Lombardi award as a founder of the Michigan Lifeguard Competition. The lake at Spencer Park was officially named "Carter Lake" after him in 2011.
Fred Carter passed away in September 2010. His contributions to aquatic safety and the Spencer Park lifeguarding program are a continuing legacy and tribute to this great man.
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Fred Carter by the Spencer Park main lifeguard stand |
Fred Carter with Spencer Park lifeguard staff |