Chief Justin McKenzie

09/14/2023

Fultondale Fire & Rescue is currently accepting resumes for a Grade 19 Firefighter/Paramedic position. Please email resumes to [email protected]. Please see job details below.

11/23/2022

11/08/2022

Interested in the gobble but not the wobble? No problem!

Save yourself the stress and let Cornerstone Ranch make your Thanksgiving Turkey a breeze! We’ll be smoking turkeys all night to have them ready for your family. Pick-up at Cornerstone Ranch on Thanksgiving Day.

Visit cornerstoneranchcamp.com/gobble to order!

10/25/2022

Tornado Watch is in effect for central Alabama until 7:00 pm CT.
*Stay tuned to NWS Birmingham and/or local weather/news channels for updates*
Our Fultondale Storm Shelters are open.
- Central Storm Shelter is located at 3220 Hubbert Dr, behind the football field across from the Fultondale Elementary School.
- West Storm Shelter is located at 2520 Walker Chapel Rd next to Fire Station #2.
- Storm Shelter Main is located at 601 Main St next to Fultondale First Baptist.
Please be sure you have a way of hearing warnings if they are needed. NEVER rely solely on an outdoor siren. The baseline is an NOAA Weather Radio (every home and business needs one!). Be sure emergency alerts are enabled on your phone. In your safe place be sure and have helmets for everyone, along with hard sole shoes and a portable air horn.

09/17/2022

30 Days 30 Ways Day 15: Print, Save and Safeguard Important Documents

It is important to organize your critical documents and family keepsakes in a way that makes them quickly accessible and still keeps them secure.

What is the best way to organize and protect critical documents in case of an emergency?

The best way to organize original documents is in a special binder that has been uniquely designed for that purpose, electronic copy of the scanned documents on a password-protected encrypted flash drive, or simply scan them in and save them in a password protected folder on the cloud. This can help minimize this daunting task of putting your life back together after a disaster.

You may want to create a copy of the most critical documents and keep them in a secure location away from your home in case your home is destroyed. Place the copies in a securely locked or sealed container and store them at a trusted friend or relative’s home.

The benefits of having all of your personal documents organized and ready to take at a moment’s notice is worth the time it takes to create. Not to mention how convenient it is to have all of your documents organized in one place whenever you need them.

09/16/2022

30 Days 30 Ways Day 14: Create a Home Inventory

Creating and updating an inventory of your personal possessions is one of the best ways to make the most of your homeowners or renters insurance, and makes filing a claim or request for financial assistance after a disaster easier and more efficient.

What is a home inventory exactly?

A home inventory is simply a list of your personal possessions along with their estimated financial value. You can create a home inventory in a simple, low-tech manner by writing down everything in a notebook and keeping receipts in a folder. Or you can take advantage of technology and use a digital camera or smart phone or app to make your record by taking photos and videos.

No matter how you choose to do it, the important thing is to take action. An up-to-date home inventory will:

-Help you purchase the right amount and type of insurance. After all, if you don’t know what you have, how can you insure it adequately?

-Make filing a claim as simple as possible. Most people cannot remember what they had for breakfast much less recall the contents of their attic, kitchen cabinets or downstairs closet after a fire, storm or other catastrophe. Disasters are scary and stressful, which can make trying to list damaged property for a claims form even more challenging. Having your belongings already documented in your home inventory can be a huge relief at times like these.

-Substantiate financial losses for tax purposes or when applying for financial assistance. Following a catastrophe, the only way to determine whether you qualify for a tax break or disaster assistance is to substantiate your financial losses. A well-organized home inventory can be an extremely useful tool in this process.

09/15/2022

30 Days, 30 Ways Day 13: Review Your Insurance Coverages, and Consider Flood Insurance

When disasters happen, financial assistance from FEMA isnt guaranteed. Even if financial assistance from a disaster is approved, it can take time to apply. FEMA assistance is not a replacement for insurance but can assist with basic needs to help jump start your recovery.

It’s a good idea to review your insurance coverages at least once a year to ensure that your family and belongings are appropriately protected in the case that you are impacted by a disaster.

An insurance review is a thorough look at your insurance coverage – the policies protecting your vehicles, home, family members and other valuables. An insurance review helps provide you the peace of mind that your most treasured belongings (and family members) are adequately protected in case something unexpected happens like a fire, theft or weather event.

Make sure your policy covers all hazards that could impact you, and consider obtaining flood insurance even if you dont live in a flood plain or flood prone area, or renters insurance if you rent!

09/14/2022

30 Days, 30 Ways Day 12: Build a Basic Emergency Kit With What You Have at Home

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Many of these items you already have on hand, but arent in one centralized location.

Here is a starter list to get you going:

Water and non-perishable food for at least 3 days.
➡️A gallon of water per person per day is the rule of thumb. Some great non perishable food items are protein bars, peanut butter, instant noodles, canned goods etc.

Extra cell phone battery or charger
➡️Grab that extra charging cord you have and throw it in your kit

Flashlight and extra batteries
➡️ Grab that spare flashlight and extra change of batteries and throw it in your kit

First aid kit
➡️Many people already have basic first aid supplies such as ice packs, bandages, ointment etc. Make your own first aid kit with the items you already have on hand and place it in your kit

Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air
➡️ Due to COVID, most of us have masks... throw some old cloth masks in your kit

Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
➡️ Throw some extra garbage/grocery bags in your kit and save those twist ties from your bread bags!

Can opener (if kit contains canned food)
➡️ Grab your can opener if you have an extra

For a more expanded list you can visit our website here:
https://www.jeffcoema.org/emergency-checklist

Dont have these items? Check back in a few days on ways to get prepared affordably and learn some money saving tricks of the trade!

09/13/2022

09/11/2022

30 Days 30 Ways Day 10: Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors

Smoke alarms save lives. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out.

Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to warn you of any unusual build-up of carbon monoxide in your home. These higher levels may occur from improperly maintained, installed or used fuel-burning appliances, backdrafting appliances or fireplaces, or idling cars in garages.

The best way to know they work is to test them!

Press and hold the test button on the detector. It can take a few seconds to begin, but a loud, ear-piercing siren should emanate from the detector while the button is pressed. If the sound is weak or nonexistent, replace your batteries.

09/10/2022

30 Days, 30 Ways Day 9: Have a Family Fire Drill and Tornado Drill.

Now that you have made a plan, discussed it and practiced elements of your plan... now its time for a drill. When your family least suspects it, call for a family fire drill and tornado drill, and act as if the actual hazard is occurring.

Once the drill is complete, you and your family can sit down and discuss the items that went really well and the items that did not go well. Then have everyone suggest ways that you all can improve the next time. That way you are ready if you ever have to act!

Its important to run drills for hazards that occur in our area twice per year.

Need a refresher? Check these out:
-Tornado Safetyhttps://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/tornado-information-sheet.pdf
- Home Fire Escape Plan https://www.ready.gov/home-fire-escape-plan

09/09/2022

30 Days, 30 Ways Day 8:

Make A Comprehensive Contact List with Phone Numbers.

I know many of us carry all of our contacts within our cell phones, but how many of us actually keep a physical contact list or an address book nowadays?

You should also have a physical, printed copy of your emergency contact list somewhere safe in your home. Having a printed copy accounts for any technical problems that could pop up at any moment.

A great option is to use cloud storage to keep a copy of your emergency contact template online. This makes it easy to always update and share your list at any point, and you can easily print your list to keep it somewhere safe.

Everyone in your home, including your home’s caretakers (babysitters, house sitters, family, and petsitters), should know exactly where to find this list. Common places to keep it are:

On the refrigerator
In a drawer in the kitchen
Right by the front door
Close to the home phone
In a home organization binder

*Pro Tip* Have multiple copies of your list printed and keep one in both your emergency kit and your go bag so you dont have to worry about grabbing your daily used list!

Once you’ve chosen where to keep it, share this location with everyone in your house. In an emergency, you want to be able to find this list to be as simple as possible.

09/08/2022

30 days, 30 ways day 7: Practice your plan!

After making your plan and discussing it with your family, you should always take some time to practice it! It’s always important to practice as many elements of your plan as possible. Here are some suggestions on how you can practice different elements of your plan:

➡️Role-play.
Younger family members may be easily upset if they see a parent worried or panicking. Spend an afternoon pretending an emergency has occurred and allow everyone to practice their designated roles. This will help your family be better prepared for the rush of emotions they may experience during a disaster.

➡️Visit Emergency Meeting Places.
If you have chosen an emergency meeting place out-of-state, make certain your family is familiar with the location. Assist family members in recognizing landmarks (i.e., buildings, signs, curiously shaped trees or other landmarks, etc.) to help remind them of where they are or where they should be going. Ensure all family members memorize emergency rendezvous location addresses.

➡️Introduce Your Family to Emergency Contacts.
Young children may not be comfortable talking with strangers—even strangers their parents have designated as safe. Introduce your children to emergency contacts and explain their role in your family’s disaster plan. Instruct children regarding safe authority figures, such as firemen, police officers, sheriff’s deputies, etc.

➡️Practice.
Regularly quiz family members about the family’s emergency preparedness plan. Make it a game for younger children.

➡️Point Out Emergency Essentials.
Be sure everybody in your family knows the location of your Disaster Supply Kit. Keep your Disaster Supply Kit in one place—if you move it, let everyone know the new storage location.

➡️Be Honest.
Everyone in your family will have questions about preparedness. Take the time to address questions, concerns, and fears, honestly and factually. Discuss mental health concerns, evacuation, sheltering, and returning home. Emphasize, although the situation may be difficult, and there may be loss and/or sadness, the family has made and practiced the plans to survive and recover from any disaster situation.

09/07/2022

30 days, 30 ways Day 6: Discuss Your Plan with Your Family

Preparing your family for a disaster involves more than just creating a plan. Each family member—especially children—needs to know exactly what to do during an emergency.

When you are together tonight while eating dinner, finishing up homework, or before getting ready for bed... take some time to talk about your plan.

Here are some questions you can talk through with your family this evening, this list isnt all inclusive as everyones needs may be different:

Who’s our local emergency contact?
Where do we go when there’s an emergency?
Who’s responsible for watching the dog?
What is our address?
What are the phone numbers you will call?
What will you do if we get separated?
Where is the emergency kit stored and what is in it?
Where is the water stored?
How do you use a manual can opener?
How do you use a cell phone or landline?

Remember, the more familiar you are with your plan... the easier it will be to execute it if and when the time comes!

09/06/2022

Day 5 of 30 days, 30 ways: Make an emergency plan!

Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area.

Step 1 - Put a plan together by considering the following things: how will I receive alerts and warnings, shelter considerations, evacuation routes, communication plan and methods (more on this piece later this month), when do I need my kit and/or go bags?

Step 2- Consider specific needs of your household.

As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance.

Step 3: Create your plan!

Here is a great template from The American Red Cross to get you started: https://rdcrss.org/2NGTbFp

09/05/2022

30 Days, 30 Ways Day 4: Know the various hazards we face right here in Jefferson County.

A key first step in disaster preparedness is understanding the types of hazards prevalent right here in our community. Individuals and families face many different types of hazards. Taking action now may give you and your family the power to protect yourselves and your property.

So what types of hazards are we at risk for right here in JeffCo?

Active Shooter
Cyber Attack
Extreme Heat/Cold
Flood
Hurricane/Tropical Weather
Pandemic
Power Outage
Thunderstorms, Lightning and Hail
Tornado
Wildfire
Winter Storms

Even though some of these hazards are more likely than others, it is important to acknowledge that all of these hazards are possible. Its good to think about anything that can impact us.

So how do you prepare for each hazard? Take a look at this electronic citizens guide that details these hazards (and more): https://bit.ly/3RjTYIW

06/29/2022

Fultondale Fire, with the help of Birmingham Fire, Gardendale Fire, Glenwood Fire, And Mt. Olive Fire, responded to a residential and detached garage fire on the 3000 block of Coalburg Rd. No injuries were reported during the incident. The fire is under investigation. Thank you to all the departments that assisted, and to Jefferson County Deputies for assisting with traffic control. The fire has since been extinguished and all units are back in service.

05/16/2022

Commercial Structure Fire: 600 block of Decatur Highway, Days Inn. Fire contained to the exterior of the building. No injuries reported. North Smithfield assisted with automatic aid.

04/06/2022

We would like to thank Senator Linda Coleman-Madison for the tremendous support to Fultondale Fire & Rescue. The Senator has secured $30,000.00 in funds to support the efforts of Fultondale Fire and it's growing needs toward emergency response within our city limits and surrounding areas we respond to. We couldn't provide the service we do without the support of Senator Coleman-Madison, Mayor Larry Holcomb and Council of the City of Fultondale, and the citizens of Fultondale. Thank you to all!

04/06/2022

This week a group of 9 Alabama Fire Chiefs are in Washington DC meeting with our legislators. They are working to improve the Alabama Fire Service.
Attendees- Chief Broadhead, Chief McKenzie, Chief Coleman, Chief Buckner, Chief Harvey, Chief McFarland, Chief Lami, Chief Stephens, and Director Russell.

03/22/2022

Tornado Watch in effect:
*Stay tuned to NWS Birmingham and/or local weather/news channels for updates*
Our Fultondale Storm Shelters are open.
- Central Storm Shelter is located at 3220 Hubbert Dr, behind the football field across from the Fultondale Elementary School.
- West Storm Shelter is located at 2520 Walker Chapel Rd next to Fire Station #2.
- Storm Shelter Main is located at 601 Main St next to Fultondale First Baptist.
Please be sure you have a way of hearing warnings if they are needed. NEVER rely solely on an outdoor siren. The baseline is an NOAA Weather Radio (every home and business needs one!). Be sure emergency alerts are enabled on your phone. In your safe place be sure and have helmets for everyone, along with hard sole shoes and a portable air horn.

03/16/2022

After natural disasters, FEMA often rejects aid to vulnerable communities where survivors have few other paths to recovery, an NBC News analysis found.

03/13/2022

As we spring forward with daylight saving time, we encourage all residents to use this time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors, and replace any detectors older than 10 years old. If you have any questions or need assistance, please email us at [email protected].

* Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
* Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

02/16/2022

We have just been made aware that the Walker Chapel Rd Bridge (Iron Bridge), has been closed two days prior to the scheduled closing. Please use the alternate routes around the affected area. We apologize for this late notice, we were unaware of the early closing.

02/08/2022

WE ARE HIRING!!!

01/25/2022

One year ago today, we started this morning off as our first full time day as a combination department, not knowing the events and devastation that we would face that night. The past year has been challenging to say the least. Fultondale Fire Department has grown and faced the challenges we experienced head on. We are grateful for all the support we have had along the way, and we will continue to move forward.

01/06/2022

From the Alabama EMA:

We have created a website that helps individuals navigate the process when taking advantage of the Storm Shelter Tax Credit.
Please follow link below. You will find "What is the Tax Credit?, Who can apply?, and How to apply".
The site also contains contact information for Alabama EMA and the Alabama Department of Revenue.

https://ema.alabama.gov/2022/01/03/alabama-storm-shelter-tax-credit/

01/04/2022

What a year!! We have had our ups and downs but have survived our first calendar year as a full-time combination department, thanks to the support of our citizens, community , elected officials, and fellow city departments. We are looking forward to taking on 2022 and what it may bring.
We are YOUR Fire Department, and are here for your public safety protection. We hope everyone had a fantastic New Years!

01/01/2022

A cold front will move through Central Alabama late tonight through early Sunday morning. This will support showers and thunderstorms along and ahead of the front, some of which will be strong to severe. Changes from previous forecast: the risk area and the event timing have been updated (the graphic is attached).
6 PM this evening - 8 AM Sunday.
Threats: A couple of tornadoes, Damaging winds up to 60 mph.
Locally heavy rainfall may result in flooding of low-lying or poor drainage areas.
Non-thunderstorm wind gusts up to 40 mph.

As soon as we are placed under a Tornado Watch, all Fultondale Storm Shelters will be opened.

When Fultondale was impacted by the tornado last January we were in the "green" area; please do not let your guard down. Have multiple ways of receiving weather alerts. A NOAA Weather Radio is a great way to be alerted. You may also sign up to receive automated weather warnings/alerts at jeffcoema.org (Everbridge); multiple ways of receiving warnings is a necessity, especially overnight.

12/19/2021

12/10/2021

Fultondale Fire will be hosting our Santa Run on Saturday Decemeber 18th, 2021, starting at 12p and will end around 7p. We took your suggestions from last year not to have Santa ride by on the ladder truck too late in the evening. We will cover as many streets as possible, but we are unable to effieciently go down dead end streets. We will post the roads closer to next Saturday and try to give updates as we go through each neighborhood. We are looking forward to seeing everyone out!