Thirteen years later: How Tuscaloosa has moved forward since deadly 2011 tornado

PHOTOS: Tuscaloosa changed forever on April 27, 2011, when a devastating tornado struck. Thirteen years later, the recovery, rebuilding and restoration in the tornado's aftermath helped move Tuscaloosa forward in many ways. Tuscaloosa County Probate Judge Rob Robertson said the destruction from the April 27, 2011, tornado provided a blueprint showing how emergency agencies can be better prepared for the next natural disaster. "A lot of things you see and how they do things today and procedures during severe weather ... there are lessons learned out of that terrible tornado, (a) traumatic event," said Robertson, who by virtue of his office also serves as chairman of the Tuscaloosa County Commission.
Tuscaloosa News - Metered Site

Firefighters respond to apartment fire in Birmingham

Firefighters responded to an apartment fire in Birmingham Wednesday afternoon. Birmingham Fire and Rescue said the incident happened just before 6:00 p.m. at Twin Oaks Apartments in the 7700 block of 4th Avenue South. When firefighters arrived they said heavy smoke was coming from a bottom apartment. The fire department helped a disabled man off the second floor and a second man as well. Three units were damaged and a fourth was being checked. A mother and child were displaced and the disabled man was displaced. Help from the Red Cross was requested. The fire department said there were no injuries.
WBMA-LD ABC 33/40 Birmingham

Increase in Moores Mill Volunteer Firefighter applicants shines light on funding challenges

In an effort to keep up with Madison County’s growing population, Moores Mill Volunteer Fire Rescue says within the last two months, close to 30 people have joined their ranks. The department says these are people who are willing to put themselves in harm’s way without monetary compensation. “The fear is these men and women are signing up to do something really great for their community, and the burden is on us as a fire department to provide them the things they need to do the function of that job,” Moores Mill Volunteer Fire Rescue Spokesperson Ethan Fitzgerald stated. Fitzgerald says that’s where it gets challenging. More firefighters call for new out-fitting equipment, and that’s money Fitzgerald says they don’t have due to their tax funding structure, which hasn’t changed in over 30 years.
WHNT-TV CBS 19 Huntsville