To maintain certification in Alabama, first responders must meet strict two-year recertification standards. Finding, scheduling, and paying for those classes can be a massive hurdle, particularly for smaller departments and volunteer crews. The Alabama EMS Challenge eliminates that barrier by providing free, twice-monthly training accessible both in person and online.

“It’s just an easier way to do it,” explained Richard Ennis, EMS Captain with Madison Fire Rescue. “A lot of departments and people, especially on the volunteer side, may not have access to a lot of those classes. This allows them to log in, get those hours, and get credit without having to cram 40 to 60 hours at the end of a recertification cycle.”

WZDX-TV FOX/MyNetworkTV 54 Huntsville

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The fire was quickly brought under control, but officials say nine people were displaced. The American Red Cross is assisting those affected. WAFF spoke with a neighbor who said when he arrived home, the house was engulfed in flames.

“The flames were coming out of the end window and going at least 15, 20 feet up in the air. If they didn’t get here when they did, it would have been a whole lot worse. And luckily, by the grace of God, nobody was at home,” Chris Rigsby said.

Nobody was inside the residence when the fire broke out. Nobody was injured.

No word yet from officials on what caused the fire.

WAFF-TV NBC 48 Huntsville

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They said the vegetation on both sides made it difficult for fire rescue members to get into the home. The fire reportedly began at the right corner of the home and flames came out of the back.

Officials said no person was living in the home, but snakes and turtles were inside. The fire was extinguished. Officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

WKRG-TV CBS 5 Mobile

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The height of the building and the layout of the roof made the rescue challenging, requiring crews to use specialized rope equipment to safely secure and get the injured person from the roof.

Decatur Fire & Rescue said crews worked together to complete the rescue and safely bring the person down from the building.

Officials did not release additional information about the person’s condition but wished them a speedy recovery.

WZDX-TV FOX/MyNetworkTV 54 Huntsville

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To ensure top-tier emergency response capabilities, the department integrated two major vehicle assets: a specialized Battalion 1 command unit equipped with critical mobile coordination technology and Opelika’s first Quint apparatus. Operating out of Station 4, this Sutphen SL 75-foot aerial ladder features a 2,000-gpm pump and a 500-gallon water tank to enhance both high-angle rescue and aerial fire suppression.

Alongside these fleet upgrades, significant strides were made to improve departmental facilities. The department finalized the planning and design phases to completely rebuild and replace the 65-year-old Station 2, which has exceeded its operational lifespan, while also initiating long-term planning for a future Station 6 to support the expanding Northeast Industrial Park.

Operationally, OFD personnel maintained an elite standard of performance and community involvement, responding to 7,037 emergency calls and completing 2,250 inspections and pre-fire plans.

Dedicated to continuous professional growth, the department completed 8,000 student training hours, resulting in 200 Alabama Fire College accredited certifications through its Regional Training Center, alongside 390 local CPR certifications and the strategic maintenance of 1,860 fire hydrants.

The year was also marked by leadership advancement, including the promotion of four officers and the addition of 11 new hires and recruits to its ranks.

The department formally recognized and celebrated two rescue incidents involving a local family and baby, hosted the 9/11 Traveling Exhibit’s first visit to Alabama and the public Kids Academy.

The impact of the department’s community outreach was further celebrated through consecutive community fundraising events with the Opelika Police Department in Burgers and Badges and the Auburn Fire Department in Burger Wars, strengthening a bond with the citizens of Opelika that is reflected in a digital footprint exceeding 10,000 social media followers.

Opelika Auburn News – Metered Site

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He said either a small fire on the property or a lightning strike ignited propane tanks, causing damage to three buildings on the property and starting a brush fire. Firefighters were able to get the flames under control and save the main home on the property.

No one was hurt, but the chief says two firefighters were treated and released for overheating at the scene.

WKRG-TV CBS 5 Mobile

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Video of the fire obtained by WAFF 48 News shows flames and smoke billowing from a house behind the St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. The home was destroyed. No injuries were reported.

WAFF-TV NBC 48 Huntsville

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Volunteer firefighters say they’re the first volunteer fire department in the state to carry blood products and one of the very few rural departments anywhere doing this.

According to Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief Jackson Chance, blood loss is the leading cause of preventable trauma deaths in the country. He says it’s estimated about 37% of those patients could be saved with a blood transfusion on scene before they reach a hospital.

“We’re about an hour from a major trauma center. In EMS, we follow the concept of what we call the ‘golden hour’, getting that definitive care within that first hour, and that’s very difficult to do that from here,” Chance said.

Chance says his volunteer department answers around 600 calls a year, most of them medical.

WBRC-TV FOX 6 Birmingham

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Rescue Team Leader Brent Rogers said the current deployment differs from a mission he participated in last year around the same time.

“This year is going to be more rescue side,” Rogers said. “Last year was recovery search efforts. But this is going to be more, you know, rescuing personnel that are alive.”

The team is expected to be on a seven-day mission, though the deployment could be extended depending on the need for additional assistance.

WALA-TV FOX 10 Mobile

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The funding was secured with the assistance of the Jefferson County Commission, according to Center Point Fire Chief Brandon Dahlen and is designed to fill a gap in coverage due to poor local resources.

The building will feature a storm shelter that will serve as a community meeting place. The station is expected to be operational in 7 to 12 months.

WIAT-TV CBS 42 Birmingham

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“There’s some about fire trucks and stuff like that, but not about fire safety,” Wallace said. “I feel like that’s something that we need more of.”

Wallace says school visits and his own children opened his eyes to how little children learn about fire safety.

He says he began putting pen to paper once he realized he could help change that.

“You got to the schools to do fire and safety and stuff, a lot of kids just don’t know and maybe their parents don’t know,” Wallace explained. “Maybe they just never, well that’s why we’re so big about trying to hit that because sometimes that’s the only time they’ll see it at school.”

This book has been years in the making, but he did get some help. In fact, with a little help from his little ones, Aurora and Asher, they got to work.

WAFF-TV NBC 48 Huntsville

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Firefighters knocked down the fire in about 15 minutes, preventing it from spreading further. Officials said no one was inside the building when the fire started, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire has not been released.

WBMA-LD ABC 33/40 Birmingham

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