About the Craftsman:
Stephen F. Karas
continues to serve the Baltimore City Fire Department as a 15 year veteran.
Karas has been a driver for Rescue 1 at the Stedman Station, the busiest in
the Nation as of 2006.
He is also a member and instructor on the Central Maryland Task Force II and on the Special Rescue Operations Team(on-call 18 member team.)
The S.R.O. Team
specializes in high-rise, helicopter, structural collapse and swift-water
rescues.
In addition, Stephen is on the Hazmat Special Forces.
Along with the Baltimore City Fire Department, Karas has worked in the construction industry for over 20 years.
Karas creates functional pieces of artwork with steel. His steel work includes any type of custom metal fabrication.
Karas also artistically
designs steel boat/motorcycle hardware/nametags and beam brackets/steel transoms
that are fully
functional and pleasing to the eye!
The Crosses of Courage plaques were originally created as a piece of art "made
by a Firefighter for a Firefighter."