GOAL
The goal of the Huntsville Fire Department is to
aggressively pursue education, training, certifications and the
performance of duties that will have an impact of lowering fire deaths,
injuries, and property loss, to give our citizens and taxpayers the best
fire & rescue protection for their tax dollars. Approximately
$15.3 million tax dollars are spent per year to see that you get the
finest protection we can provide as a city. We, at the City of Huntsville,
feel that we have one of the finest fire & rescue services in the
state.
MISSION STATEMENT
We, the members of Huntsville Fire & Rescue, are a team of professionals dedicated to providing rapid, reliable emergency services to the citizens of our community.
We are committed to saving lives, protecting property, and improving the quality of life for our citizens through education and training, fire prevention, fire suppression, rescue and other emergency/non-emergency activities.
We will accomplish our mission by participating in this community, providing progressive and comprehensive services, and striving to efficiently utilize all our resources to meet the needs of our community.
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STATION LOCATIONS - See Map of Fire Stations
Station 1 - 308 Church St.
Station 2 - 2002 Lee High Dr.
Station 3 - 2309 Jordan Ln.
Station 4 - 911 Monte Sano Blvd.
Station 5 - 2503 University Dr.
Station 6 - 2045 Airport Rd.
Station 7 - 11525 S. Memorial Pkwy.
Station 8 - 4012 N. Memorial Pkwy.
Station 9 - 7200 Hickory Hill Rd.
Station 10 - 5006 Pulaski Pike
Station 11 - 530 Martin Rd.
Station 12 - 305 Wynn Dr.
Station 14 - 817 Mt. Gap Rd.
Station 15 - 4801 Sparkman Dr.
Station 16 -150 Jeff Rd.
Station 17 - 295 Old Hwy 431
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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION
FIRE SUPPRESSION - AT FIRES
- Search and Rescue: The first priority at a fire scene is to search for and rescue any potential victims in the involved structure.
- Fire Suppression: After confirming that human life is not endangered, firefighters work to extinguish the fire while stopping its spread. Before attacking the main body of the fire, "cut-off lines" are used to surround the fire so it will not spread to adjacent areas.
- Salvage Operations: Firefighters attempt to minimize damage to personal property from fire, water and smoke by using tarps and removing valuable items if possible.
- Ventilation: To reduce smoke and heat so that the fire may be located and extinguished more quickly, firefighters may ventilate the structure by cutting holes in the roof or breaking windows.
- Community Relations: Members of HFR are assigned to the Community Relations Office, which provides immediate direction for the residents displaced by fire. Personnel in this office help victims get their lives back to normal by advising them of appropriate service organizations, such as the Red Cross.
- Mutual Aid: In addition to incidents within the city limits, HFR has "mutual aid" agreements with several fire departments in the surrounding area.
OTHER INCIDENTS
- Medical Calls: HFR currently provides First Responder Emergency Medical Services throughout the City of Huntsville. Our goal is to have trained personnel on the scene in less than (4) minutes.
- Alarm Activation: HFR is dispatched to locations where a fire alarm or water flow alarm (sprinkler system) is activated.
- Carbon Monoxide: A unit is dispatched when a CO detector activates.
- Broken Water Pipe: Usually residential. An HFR unit will secure an area where water from a broken pike could create a hazard and cause damage until the Water Department arrives for repairs.
- Wire Down/Arc: An HFR unit will secure an area where damaged wires could create a hazard until Huntsville Utilities arrives. If necessary, firefighters may request that power be cut.
- Rescue Alarm: HFR extricates victims in accidents that result in vehicle or machinery entrapment.
- Water Rescue: HFR does not routinely perform water rescue. We do, however, have personnel trained in this area. Our goal for the near future is to acquire the necessary equipment and training to better perform this service.
- Technical Rescue: HFR does not routinely perform high-angle or confined-space rescue, however, we do have personnel trained in this area. Our goal for the near future is to acquire the necessary equipment and training to better perform this service.
- Flooding: In times of flooding, firefighters may rescue any trapped flood victims or barricade dangerous low water crossings.
- Spill: HFR cleans up small fuel spills that result from accidents or at service stations.
- Hazardous Condition: HFR is the regional hazardous materials response agency. This unit of our department helps monitor and/or mitigate situations that involve hazardous materials such as chemical spills or ruptured gas lines.
- Investigate Odor: A unit will respond to a citizen concerned about an unusual or potentially dangerous odor and attempt to pinpoint its cause.
- Lockout: A unit will be sent to a vehicle/building lockout when an individual is endangered due to the situation.
- Lift Assistance: HFR personnel assist HEMSI in packaging obese patients for transport.
NON-EMERGENCY DUTIES
- Fire and Life Safety Presentations: Firefighters visit all elementary schools in the Huntsville School district (as well as other area schools upon request) and make a three-part presentation directed at various grade levels.
- Day Care Visits: Upon request, firefighters visit day care centers and explain the basics of fire safety to children.
- Community Service: Some companies or stations independently arrange programs and develop relationships supporting youth groups, schools, or community organizations.
- Station Tours: Firefighters at stations welcome visitors, which sometimes include informal guests, and other times are scheduled visits by community organizations.
- Special Appearances: Firefighters and apparatus often fill requests by communities or organizations to make appearances at special events such as parades, festivals, block parties, etc.
- Hydrant Flow Tests: Twice a year firefighters check flow capacities of water mains for existing and new structures in the city.
- Pre-Fire Plans: Every 6 months, firefighters familiarize themselves with structures located in their territories to identify hazards and risks so they are better prepared for emergency response.
- Physical Training: All firefighters are encouraged to engage in a physical fitness activities. This area will have emphasis in the future.
- Monthly Training: Firefighters must put in a minimum of 20 hours per month training covering a variety of topics such as territory familiarization, maps, or fire protection features in buildings.
- Skills Improvement Training: Advanced training in a particular discipline that often involves multiple companies.
- Hazmat Training: Hazmat team members require a minimum of 40 hours annually of Hazmat training.
- Professional Development: Firefighters at various ranks participate in professional development training to help prepare them for the next level of service.
- Outside Training Opportunities: Many firefighters seek training opportunities outside HFR, often presented by professional fire service organizations. Examples include the National Fire Academy, Alabama Fire College, etc.
- Basic EMT Refresher Course: Firefighters complete a state-required course to meet continuing education requirements with a minimum of 24 hours of study.
- Medical Refresher Training: All personnel are required to maintain current CPR which includes defibrillator training.
- Apparatus Maintenance: Routine maintenance and restocking of apparatus in stations.
- Upkeep of Station: Firefighters are responsible for general cleaning and routine maintenance of station building.
- Smoke Detector Installation: HFR provides free smoke detectors to low-income families, which firefighters install upon request.
FIRE PREVENTION/INVESTIGATION
- Inspections: Huntsville Fire Prevention (HFP) officers conduct more than 6,000 maintenance inspections annually of existing and new structures.
- Fire Code Enforcement: Upon inspections, it is the responsibility of the officer to enforce fire codes.
- Fire Investigations: HFP officers investigate approximately 250 fires per year.
- Fire Reports: Fire Reports are made available to citizens upon request.
- Plans Review for New Construction: HFP officers routinely review 375 new construction plans per year.
- Fire Safety Inspections: Fire Safety Inspections are performed on commercial buildings to include weekends and night inspections of nightclubs and restaurants.
- Evacuation Planning: HFP officers assist in the development of evacuation plans for fire emergencies.
- Fire Safety Classes: HFP conducts 150 fire safety classes per year.
- Home Safety Checks: Upon request, an HFP officer will conduct home safety checks.
- C.E.R.T.: This department is involved in the implication of this program which was developed by the Department of Homeland Security to train communities in basic emergency techniques.
HFR RESPONSE PROCEDURES
One Engine Company is dispatched to:
- automotive vehicle, grass, trash and other miscellaneous alarms
- Medical Calls
- Child Locked in Vehicle
- Carbon Monoxide Detector
- A ladder truck will also respond to a vehicle fire in a parking garage.
Two Engine Companies are dispatched to:
- Motor Vehicle accidents with Entrapment
Structural fires involving single family or two family dwellings, garages, and sheds:
- First Alarm will require 2 Engine Companies, 1 Ladder Company and 1 District Chief.
- Second Alarm will require an additional 2 Engine Companies and 1 District Chief.
All business and multi-family dwellings:
- First Alarm will require 2 Engine Companies, 1 Ladder Company and 1 District Chief.
- Second Alarm will require an additional 2 Engine Companies and 1 District Chief.
- Third Alarm will require an additional 2 Engine Companies.
High life hazards such as schools, hotels, churches and shopping malls:
- First Alarm will require 4 Engine Companies, 1 Ladder Company and 1 District Chief.
- Second Alarm will require an additional 3 Engine Companies and 1 District Chief and possibly one more Ladder Company.
- Third Alarm will require an additional 2 Engine Companies.
High Rise Buildings with over 3 stories such as hospitals, retirement homes and hotels:
- First Alarm will require 4 Engine Companies, 2 Ladder Company and 1 District Chief.
- Second Alarm will require an additional 3 Engine Companies and 1 District Chief, 1 Assistant Chief and 1 Ladder Company.
- A Third Alarm will require an additional 2 Engine Companies.
HFR also responds along with Huntsville/Madison County Airport Authority to aircraft emergencies:
- Alert 1 and 2 are a standby by Engine 11 in the Station.
- Alert 3 is a response to the airport by Engine 11, 12 and Ladder 12.
Hazardous Materials Response inside the city limits would include:
- Hazmat 15, Engine 15, Engines 5A and 5B, and Hazmat 5.
- Outside the city limits, the response would be reduced to include a minimum of 6 Decon team personnel.
For more information on any of the services that our Prevention
division offers please contact us at 427-5150
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FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT PHONE NUMBERS
- Chiefs Office (256)427-7401
- Prevention/Inspection/Investigation (256)427-5150
- Training/Safety/Education (256)851-4031
- Communications (256)722-7120 for non emergency
- Public Relations Office (256)427-7401
Mailing Address
- Huntsville Fire & Rescue
- P.O. Box 308
- Huntsville, AL 35804