Alabama Fire College

Yesterday, Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue Engine 4 and a Mobile County EMS ambulance were involved in a motor vehicle accident on I-10 while in the process of operating on a medical call.

While our crews were working the scene, a passing motorist failed to recognize the emergency vehicles and struck Engine 4 and a Mobile County EMS ambulance. Thankfully, none of our firefighters, the Mobile County EMS crew, or the patient they were treating were injured. The driver of the passenger vehicle that struck Engine 4 was transported to USA Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

While we are extremely thankful everyone is okay, this incident is also an important reminder of why proper roadway incident safety matters.

We especially want to recognize our on-duty crew for following Traffic Incident Management System (TIMS) safety procedures to the letter. Engine 4 was positioned intentionally to provide a protective barrier between approaching traffic and the medical scene. That positioning did exactly what it was supposed to do—the apparatus took the impact instead of our firefighters, the EMS crew, or the patient. Without that protection, the outcome of this incident could have been gravely different.

We train for situations like this because operating on the interstate is one of the most dangerous environments our personnel face. Yesterday was a very real example of why that training, discipline, and attention to procedure matter.

We also want to sincerely thank our neighboring fire departments, Mobile County EMS, fellow first responders, and members of the community who have reached out to check on our personnel and offer their support. The number of calls, messages, and offers of assistance we have received has been overwhelming, and we are incredibly grateful.

Finally, please remember: when you see emergency vehicles operating on the roadway, slow down, move over, and pay attention. There are firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, law enforcement officers, patients, and motorists on the other side of those warning lights.

Engines can be repaired and equipment can be replaced. People cannot.

Stay alert. Slow down. Move over. Help us make sure everyone goes home.

Congratulations, Paramedic Program Class of 2026!
Graduates in this class were based at AFC and in Albertville, Chelsea, Helena, Madison, and Prattville.

🚨 **TRAINING DATE CHANGE: COMBAT READY FIRE TRAINING** 🚨

The Combat Ready Fire Training hosted by CAFCA has been rescheduled from August 12 to October 20.

📅 October 20, 2026
⏰ 8am-5pm
📍 Mountain Brook Community Church
💰 $75 in-state / $100 out-of-state
🍽️ Lunch provided by NAFECO

Already registered for the August 12 training?
✅ You do NOT need to register again! All students previously registered have been automatically transferred to the October 20 date.

🔥 Morning Session: **FIRST ALARM STRATEGY + TACTICS: Fireground Decision Making for Company Officers and ICs**

Explore critical first-alarm decisions and practical strategies for working fires in single-family, multi-family, and commercial occupancies. Students will examine proven decision-making models for evaluating conditions, establishing strategy, selecting tactics, and coordinating engine and truck company operations.

🚒 Afternoon Session: **BEYOND SIDEWALK SUPERVISION: Fireground Command Staff Development Program**

Learn how a structured command staff model can improve operational effectiveness, accountability, and firefighter safety. This program addresses the increasingly complex fireground environment, firefighter injuries and LODDs, command oversight, and strategies for reducing fireground chaos.

👉 Register online: https://www.alabamafirecollege.org/event/combat-ready-fire-training-hosted-by-cafca/
https://www.alabamafirecollege.org/course/beyond-the-sidewalk

West Blount Fire and EMS District is accepting applications for the position of Firefighter. Applicants must possess Firefighter I/II certification, with preference given to candidates who also hold a current EMT license.
The district offers Employer paid Health Insurance, 100% employer-matched 401(k) and tuition reimbursement for Alabama Fire College classes.
West Blount Fire and EMS District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
Email resumes to:
[email protected]
[email protected]

📢 New for YFPI Practitioners: Introducing YFPI Go

Join Vision 20/20 Project and our YFPI SME group on Tuesday, September 15 at 1:00 PM EST for a live webinar unveiling YFPI Go, a new mobile app built for Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention practitioners, plus a full set of companion resources now available online.

We'll cover the app's key features, the new web resource library, and take your questions live.

🔗 Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f5yDyzWtQdWNGacp-3L4_g

Tuesday, September 15 | 1:00 PM EST

This week marked the start of the Alabama Fire College’s “Fire Support Person” course here at the Madison County Training Academy. This is a new course designed to meet the new NFPA 1010 standards for firefighter training, and stands as the first of three courses that make up the Firefighter 160 program. This segment, lasting for three months, is focused on gaining content knowledge through lecture and bookwork, accompanied by skills/JPR’s necessary to support operations on an emergency scene. The 2026 class has 29 students, representing 10 departments across Madison and Morgan counties.

The success of the Alabama Fire College’s certification and training programs depends heavily on the knowledge and experience of the men and women who work in the trenches, practicing, teaching, and performing these skills every day. Without the involvement of these subject matter experts, our programs simply would not be as strong or as relevant to the fire and emergency services we serve.

Members of the Huntsville Cave Rescue Unit, Inc., Carrie “CJ” Jones, Andrew Sheaff, and Neil Sherer, participated in the Alabama Fire College’s Technical Review Committee meeting for the Technical Rescue Personnel: Cave Rescue Awareness, Operations, and Technician programs August 4th and 5th.

We were honored to have these three highly experienced Subject Matter Experts assist with the review of our certification requirements and curriculum. Their practical experience, technical knowledge, and willingness to share their expertise help ensure that AFC programs remain current, credible, and focused on the real-world skills rescuers need in the field.

We sincerely appreciate CJ, Andrew, Neil, and the Huntsville Cave Rescue Unit for their continued support of the Alabama Fire College and Alabama’s emergency response community.

Don't miss this free FPW webinar, tomorrow @ 1pm CST. Register at https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5379217/D0B8C8B370A1016FCD700A49EF667FD6?partnerref=fpwpages

Don't miss the 2026 Fire Prevention Week™ webinar on Thursday, August 13, 2 p.m. EST!

This free 90-minute presentation will dive into the 2026 FPW™ theme, Charge into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower. Attendees will learn:

🔋 Why NFPA chose a battery-related theme for FPW for the second year in a row, and why this theme was chosen in particular

🔥 The science and fire risks of lithium-ion batteries

💥 Ways lithium-ion batteries can be damaged

🔌 Safe charging tips for devices that are powered by lithium-ion batteries

📕 The latest Educational Messages Advisory Committee (EMAC)–approved language related to lithium-ion battery safety messaging

Register here: https://nfpa.social/4hM3STN

The new school year brings new faces, new routines, and the first fire drill.

For many classrooms, one of the first safety routines students will practice is a fire drill.

Learn Not to Burn® provides educators with free lesson plans and activities to help students understand what a fire drill is, why it's important, and how to respond safely.

Download the free lesson plans here: https://sparkyschoolhouse.org/resource/learn-not-to-burn/