Brookside Fire rescue

01/13/2023

Night 2 at Brookside Fire, Confined Space training.

01/13/2023

Shared from my friend Retired Firefighter Paramedic Michael Thorin.

****MICHAEL’S TIPS FOR ROOKIE FIREFIGHTERS****

1. Learn to make coffee the way the AO likes it. Yeah, the officer is important, but your AO can influence your officer’s opinion of you, and may very well be the person that makes or breaks you.

2. Always be the first person on the apparatus.

3. Never, I repeat NEVER, be the last person on the apparatus (unless your department requires you to direct traffic or close the door, in which case the AO should never have to wait on you for either).

4. Until you learn the location of every piece of equipment on the apparatus, never rest during idle time during work hours.

5. Learn your first in territory and hydrant locations. Even though you are not the AO, it is still a VITAL skill for you to master.

6. Leave for work early enough to ride your station’s first in territory for at least 30 minutes.

7. Be at work at least 30 minutes early (yes, you will need to be in your first due territory 1 hour early so you can ride territory for 30 minutes and then be at the station 30 minutes early).

8. Be willing to help others with their station duties when you finish yours. If they do not need or accept your help, then take advantage of that time to familiarize yourself with your apparatus (see tip #4).

9. ALWAYS have your gear ready to be on the truck at least 20 minutes before shift change in case a call comes in, even if your relief does not return the courtesy.

10. Even as a plugman your job is extremely hazardous, treat it as such!

11. Even as a plugman your job places on you an immense amount of responsibility, treat it as such!

12. You have an awesome job, treat it as such!

13. If you wouldn’t say something about your coworkers to their face, then don’t say it to anyone else. Drama can kill a rookies reputation.

14. You’re not indestructible.

15. You’re not infallible.

16. You’re not in “Chicago Fire.”

17. You’re never going to learn everything.

18. The fact that you’re never going to learn everything (tip #17) is no excuse to stop trying to learn everything.

19. Fire burns.

20. Falls hurt.

21. Drama destroys.

22. Mistakes will happen.

23. Punishment is never pleasant, but is necessary.

24. As long as you learn from tips 19 through 23, you’re going to be ok. Knock of the dust, suck it up and drive on!

25. Finally, if you are handed the nozzle, NEVER put it down!

Most all of these can be summed up with two words; be dependable!

Do you know how many fires have been fought in the history of the fire service? No? Of course not, because most fires are forgotten. All the firefighters who have fought them, and all the medals they’ve received, will all fade with time. Heroes and hardware fade to the back of the history books because it’s not about the fires and the rescues, because people will always need firefighters. There will always be another fire or another rescue, and there will always be people to do your job. The real battle in being the new firefighter is being a person that people can count on, and that isn’t defined in a single moment or in a single fire. You earn that with a lifetime of showing up.

Almost anyone can be trained to do your job, the trick is becoming the only person that everyone wants doing your job.

01/13/2023

Night 2 at Brookside Fire, Confined Space training.

01/12/2023

Jefferson County has bee placed under a Tornado Watch. Everyone be sure to monitor weather conditions. The watch expires at 1:00pm, but may be extended.

Everyone be sure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, weather radio, phone apps or monitor local media. Do not depend on outdoor sirens for weather warnings, they are not meant to be heard indoors.

As always, call us if you need us.

01/12/2023

Photos from US National Weather Service Birmingham Alabama's post

01/09/2023

We have some great training events coming up this year at Brookside Fire. This event is open to area fire departments that want to participate.

This week is is Confined Space training. Training props provided by the Alabama Fire College.

01/05/2023

Brookside Fire Rescue 2022 Total Numbers of calls 346

Structure Fires 2
Motor Vehicle Accidents 11
EMS 241
Burn Complaint 1
HazMat 1
Vehicle Fire 2
Brush Fire 1
Trees Down 27
Water Main Break 1
Public Assist 5
Gas Leak 4
False Alarm 2
Welfare Check 2
Lift Assist 12
Investigate 4
Power Pole Fire 1
Active 911 Test 1
Fire Alarm 5
Controlled Burn 2
Medical Alarm 1

Mutual Aid Runs:
Graysville Fire Department
Structure Fire 11
MVA 4
Brush Fire 1
Vehicle Fire 1

Fultondale Fire Department
Medical 1

Forestdale Fire Department
Structure Fire 2

01/05/2023

Congratulations to Firefighter Terri Moore for having passed the National Registry Advanced EMT exams.

01/04/2023

Tornado Watch till 0400.

01/03/2023

Tornado Watch till 5pm today.

01/01/2023

Everyone keep our brothers with Parrish Fire and Rescue in your prayers with the passing of Steve Dutton. Steve served several departments in Walker County as well as an Instructor with the Alabama Fire College.

Steve was a good friend and public servant and will be missed.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of one of our longest serving members. Steve Dutton passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, December 31. Steve has been a part of the Parrish Fire Department, and the Parrish community for 35 years or more, as well as a long time member and past chief of the Boldo Fire Department. Many will remember him from high school football games, Fire Safety Week visits to the schools and other community activities. Steve worked for a time as a part time police officer in Parrish in the late 80’s. He was a certified fire instructor and has taught many classes to local fire departments through the Alabama Fire College. Steve was also a long time member and one time First Captain of the now defunct Walker County Volunteer Rescue Squad, and had served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Walker County Firefighters Association. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. Please join us in lifting up his son Steven and the rest of the family in prayer over the coming days. We will post funeral arrangements once they are available.

12/27/2022

Attention Brookside residents. If you live between Sharon Heights Church and Burr drive and you do not have any water, it is due to a busted water main! We are currently unsure of how long the water will be off but they are out there now working diligently to get the main patched and the water restored!

12/26/2022

12/25/2022

From all of us at Brookside Fire and Rescue, we hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

12/22/2022

This post will remain pinned and updated if additional warming stations are opened. Updated 3:40pm 12/22/22

Due to the extreme low temps this weekend, the following municipal warming stations have been established to shelter the homeless and those with inadequate heating:

Adamsville:
Storm Shelter located at 421 Spring Street, Adamsville, AL 35005
Opening Thursday night through Sunday morning.
For entry, call 205-674-8760 or for additional info, contact their social media accounts City of Adamsville Alabama

Birmingham:
BJCC South Exhibition Hall at 1962 9th Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203
Opening Thursday at 7pm and closing Sunday.
Food will be provided.
Volunteers and donations are being accepted. Please contact the City of Birmingham Government's social media accounts to offer assistance.

Brookside:
Storm Shelter located at 4199 Municipal Drive, Brookside, AL 35036
Opening Thursday night through Sunday morning.
For additional info, follow the Brookside Fire rescue's social media site.

Kimberly:
Storm Shelter located at 914 Park Ave., Kimberly, AL 35091
Open Thursday through Monday
For questions, contact the City Government of Kimberly Alabama's or Kimberly Fire Department's social media accounts.

Morris:
Storm Shelter located at 8304 Stouts Road, Morris, AL 35116
Opening Thursday night through Tuesday morning. For additional information, contact their social media accounts Morris Alabama

12/22/2022

FREEZE WARNING FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY

Overview: An Arctic air mass is still expected to arrive Thursday night, setting us up for a multi-day period of very cold conditions, unlike anything we've seen for many years. This stretch of cold weather could prove dangerous or life-threatening for people and pets without adequate shelter and warmth, and could also jeopardize exposed pipes. At this time, it still appears that most precipitation will mostly outpace the arrival of freezing temperatures. HOWEVER, there is a slight chance that we may have rain briefly change over to a light wintry mix with temperatures plummeting Thursday evening for far northern and northwestern locations.

Changes from previous forecast: The Hard Freeze Watch has been upgraded to a warning across all of Central Alabama. Portions of the Wind Chill Watch have been upgraded to a warning for northern counties. We've added in a Limited Impact Area for slippery road conditions due to a brief wintry mix possible Thursday Evening from 6pm to midnight across the far northern and northwest counties.

Highlights:

What:
• Extended period of very cold conditions.
• Near freezing to subfreezing daytime temperatures with overnight lows in the single digits above zero to teens (Hard Freeze Warning).
• Wind chills as low as 0 to -12 degrees (Wind Chill Warning).
• A brief wintry mix will be possible as the arctic front arrives, with a few slippery roads possible.
Where:
• Very cold temperatures across all of Central Alabama (Hard Freeze Warning)
• Wind Chill Warning - Northern counties of Central Alabama (See attached graphic)
• Wind Chill Watch - Majority of Central Alabama counties, excluding the far southeast. (See attached graphic)
• Wintry Mix Possible - Far northern and northwestern locations. (See attached graphic)
When:
• Hard Freeze Warning - Thursday night through Sunday Morning
• Wind Chill Watches & Warnings - Thursday night into Friday Morning
• Brief wintry mix possible - Thursday evening from 6pm

12/21/2022

www.firemarshal.alabama.gov

For Building Contractors and residents planning to build Residential or Commercial structures in the Town of Brookside, or doing major renovations, The Fire Marshal's Office of the State of Alabama has updated all Building and Fire Codes to be enforced in the State.

As of January 01, 2023, the State of Alabama has adopted and will enforce the current International Codes listed below. By this being adopted statewide, all Cities, Towns and County Fire and Building Inspectors and Fire Marshal's will have to follow and enforce the newly adopted Internationa Codes.

The Town of Brookside Adopted these new International Codes at the Council Meeting on 12/12/2022.

International Building Code-2021 Edition.

International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings-2021 Edition.

International Fire Code-2021 Edition.

International Fuel Gas Code-2021 Edition.

International Property Maintenance Code-2021 Edition.

International Plumbing Code-2021 Edition.

International Existing Building Code-2021 Edition.

National Fire Protection Association 70-National Electrical Code-2020 Edition.

Although, NFPA Codes were not adopted in whole as in the past, the International Codes do reference certain NFPA Codes.

Copies of the Code Adoption by the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office, along with certain exceptions not adopted can be found on the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office website below.

12/20/2022

12/20/2022

In case of lost power due to the winter weather we are expecting, the Brookside Storm Shelter will remain open from Thursday December 22 at 4pm until Monday December 26 at 4pm as a warming station.

12/18/2022

Temperature is falling. Remember safe use of space heaters. Space heaters are not meant for a main hear source, but for area supplemental heating. Keep away from combustibles, never plug into an extension cord or outlet strip. Most household extension cords and outlet strips are not designed to handle the needed amps that the heater requires.

Stay safe. As always, call us if you need us.

12/17/2022

Santa is still riding through town! Come out and see us! We're leaving Bivens Chapel now!

12/17/2022

We're rolling out! Listen for the sirens! Santa is coming to town!

12/17/2022

Listen for the sirens tomorrow December 17th at 10am! Come outside, visit with Santa, your local firefighters, and receive a candy bag!

12/14/2022

Everyone watch the weather. Your local news or Live stream on YouTube: Ryan Hall Y'all

12/11/2022

Listen for the sirens tomorrow Saturday, December 17th at 10am! Come outside, visit with Santa, your local firefighters, and receive a candy bag!

12/10/2022

Remember to keep your live Christmas Tree watered and fresh. Use only UL approved lights, and keep space heaters and fireplaces far away.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas!

11/29/2022

Storm shelter is open

11/29/2022

Severe Weather is expected in our area this evening and overnight tonight. Stay weather aware. Be sure you have a way to receive weather warnings by local news media, weather radio, phone apps or through Everbridge.

Do not depend on outdoor tornado sirens. They’re not meant to be heard indoors.

The storm shelter will be opened if needed.

11/29/2022

Severe Weather is expected in our area this evening and overnight tonight. Stay weather aware. Be sure you have a way to receive weather warnings by local news media, weather radio, phone apps or through Everbridge.

Do not depend on outdoor tornado sirens. They’re not meant to be heard indoors.

The storm shelter will be opened if needed.

11/25/2022

This Page is set up to show our Fire Rescue Department. Comments that offend the department, Officers, Personnel or Explorers will result in offender being banned from the page. This department works to save lives and property. We have no say in how the Town of Brookside is ran and no comments about the Police Department. If you have any questions, please direct those questions to the Fire Chief, or one of the Officers in person.

11/24/2022

From all of us at Brookside Fire Rescue, Everyone have a great Thanksgiving Day!

11/24/2022

11/21/2022

11/21/2022

With Thanksgiving day fast approaching, please remember if frying your turkey, follow these very important steps.

11/18/2022

11/17/2022

Emergency Notifications | Jefferson County EMA

Stay informed about emergencies in your area. Sign up for Everbridge through Jefferson County EMA. Emergency notifications for Jefferson County are made through Everbridge both county wide and also targeting specific areas like towns, neighborhoods.

This is a free service provided by Jefferson County EMA.

Jefferson County, along with many of its municipalities, employs a number of emergency notification systems in order to provide critical, timely information to you. It is imperative that you know which methods work best for you, and to never rely on just one or two.

11/15/2022

11/15/2022

11/15/2022

Brookside Fire Explorers training tonight on hose and nozzle. The furniture of fire service. Thanks to Lt Brown, Fire Marshal Scotty Fassina and Firefighter Tess Dill

11/14/2022

PSA for hunters: If you take a heater to the tree stand house, make sure to open a window or door if using a kerosene heater. Do not become a victim of Carbon monoxide poisoning.