Jason Beam named new Albertville fire chief

Jason Beam has been named the new chief of the Albertville Fire Department following the retirement of now former chief Brad Hix. The Albertville City Council made a proclamation during a meeting Monday night officially appointing Beam to the new position. “I would like to thank everyone who has taken their time to message or call congratulating me on becoming Chief of a great fire department,” Beam said in a statement posted to the fire department’s Facebook page. “I would also like to thank Mayor Honea and the Council for the vote of confidence. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with a great group of people within the city.” Beam took on the role of training officer in 2011, before being promoted to assistant fire chief and fire marshal in 2016. A new assistant chief and fire marshal will be named at a later date.
Sand Mountain Reporter

One Dead in Cherokee County House Fire

PHOTO: One person has died in a house fire occurring early Tuesday morning on County Road 632. Around 4:30, units of the Gaylesville, Broomtown, Cedar Bluff and Centre Fire Departments responded to reports of a structure fire at the location; the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Floyd EMS also responded. Emergency personnel reportedly arrived to find the home already fully involved in flames. Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald confirmed to WEIS Radio News that the victim has been identified as 81 year old Lovie Lee Smith. The State Fire Marshals Office and the Cherokee County Fire Investigator also responded to the scene. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
WEIS 100.5 FM/990 AM

Sumiton firefighters covered by cancer policies

The Sumiton City Council has agreed to spend $4,700 on mandated cancer policies for its firefighters, as many firefighters are exposed to cancer contaminants during fires. The council acted during its meeting on Tuesday morning, as state Act 2019-361 provides that Alabama local governments must provide supplemental insurance coverage for firefights diagnosed with cancer. "The bill calls for a lump-sum benefit for firefighters diagnosed with cancer. The cap is $50,000 over a lifetime. There is also a monthly benefit of $3,000 for up to 36 months," Alabama Daily News said at the time the bill was passed. "The legislation also gives volunteer firefighters and retired firefighters the option of paying for the supplemental coverage themselves." It was estimated at the time municipalities would have to pay $200 per policy each year, the news website noted. The Alabama League of Municipalities helped to work on the bill.
Daily Mountain Eagle

Firefighters rescue elderly woman, animals from house fire in Valley

A Valley couple, an elderly woman, a dog and a cat are all safe following an overnight house fire Wednesday morning. East Alabama Fire Department Chief Kerry Pickard reported that crews responded to a house fire in the 100 block of Jefferson St. at 3:48 a.m. Chief Pickard says that multiple people, including a husband and wife and an elderly woman were trapped inside. The husband and wife, who lived on the left side of the house, were able to escape the home safely. The elderly woman, who lived on the right side of the home, was still trapped when crews arrived on the scene. Firefighters were able to rescue the woman, as well as a dog and a cat, from the home. No injuries were reported in the fire. Chief Pickard says the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
WTVM-TV ABC 9 Columbus

Huntsville firefighters respond to duplex fire

Huntsville Fire and Rescue responded to an overnight fire on Front Street. The resident told emergency crews they heard a “pop” that woke them up just after midnight, then they smelled smoke. Firefighters arrived and got the fire under control in about 30 minutes. The building is a duplex. The south end of the building, with the address of 2024, was more damaged than the other half. There were no injuries as a result of the fire but those living there will be displaced for at least a few days.
WHNT-TV CBS 19 Huntsville

Man found dead near burning shed in Mobile

Mobile police say firefighters found a body of a 59-year-old man after fighting a shed fire early Tuesday morning. According to a press released it happened just after 1 am on Gibson Street. Firefighters found the body of 59-year-old Robert Radcliff Jr. after putting the shed fire out. Mobile Fire and Rescue provided more information in a separate press release “At approximately 1:01 A.M., Mobile Fire-Rescue Department personnel were dispatched to the 2100 block of Gibson Street. Neighbors reported a structure on fire near a residence in the area. : “Upon arrival on scene, crews discovered an approximately 350 sq. ft. detached shed/structure behind the residence. Flames and large amounts of smoke were visible. An approximately 59-year old male victim was discovered on the ground outside of the structure.
WKRG-TV News 5 Mobile

Center Point & Trussville Fire work to put out house fire in Birmingham

The Center Point Fire District (CPFD) responded to a house fire in Grayson Valley on Monday, March 1, 2021. Fire Chief Gene Coleman said crews got the call around 7 p.m. The fire was at a home in the 2600 block of Janice Circle. Upon arrival, firefighters could see smoke and fire coming from the home. “They made an offensive attack, controlled the fire,” said Coleman. “They’re deconning [decontaminating] right now.” Coleman said it appears no one was in the home when firefighters arrived and no injuries were reported. Trussville Fire & Rescue responded to assist CPFD and Alabama Power was also on the scene. Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office were also near the scene blocking entry to Janice Circle. The fire is now under investigation by the fire marshal.
Trussville Tribune

Brush fire continues to burn at Hartselle landfill more than a week after it ignited

A brush fire continues to burn Monday afternoon at the City of Hartselle landfill. It started Saturday, Feb. 13, around 8 p.m. when a brush pile spontaneously combusted. The brush pile consists of limbs, pieces of trees, small brush and more that were picked up from homes in the city or brought into the landfill. When the fire was detected, Hartselle Public Works and Hartselle Fire & Rescue began working to limit the exposure and to extinguish the combustion. The city says with the fire being internal, spraying water would not help, so they reached out to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to learn how to manage it. “Employees began pulling small amounts of the smoldering and burning brush and debris from the burning pile with a track hoe,” a news release from the city on Monday said.
WAAY-TV ABC 31 Huntsville

Emergency responders in Sulligent react to getting coronavirus vaccine

Emergency responders in Alabama including police officers and firefighters became eligible to receive coronavirus vaccines toward the end of January. Some people WTVA got to talk with said they received both shots of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine, but they said some of their fellow workers decided not to get it at all. Sulligent Police Chief Rick McDaniel said everyone in his department is now vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine, except for one who will receive his second shot soon. He said he urged all of his officers to get the shot. Right down the street at the volunteer fire department, Volunteer Firefighter Terry Carter also received the Moderna vaccine. She said the process to get the vaccine was simple, and she's glad she got it. However, she thinks it is ultimately up to individuals if they get it.
WTVA-TV NBC/ABC 9 Tupelo