Firefighters battle Montgomery mobile home fire

PHOTO: Montgomery firefighters responded to a blaze Monday evening on Halstead Drive involving a single-wide mobile home. That’s near Day Street and Air Base Boulevard. Montgomery Fire/Rescue got the call shortly before 7:45 p.m. and, once on scene, found the home with smoke and visible flames. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and successfully kept it from spreading to other structures. MFR said those who lived in the home were able to get out safely. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
WSFA-TV NBC 12 Montgomery

Cedar Bluff Man Dies After Suffering Burns Due To Medical Episode

A Cedar Bluff man died after suffering a medical episode and falling into a heater unit inside his home on Ridge Street in Cedar Bluff on Tuesday morning. Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald said that no foul play is suspected and confirmed that 65 year old Jimmy Hudgins (known to many as ‘Bear') of Cedar Bluff died after suffering what was described as a significant medical issue, McDonald said that as a result of the episode Hudgins fell into a nearby heater which caused him to catch fire causing significant burns to much of his body. Cedar Bluff Firefighters, Cedar Bluff Police, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Fire Investigator, Floyd EMS units and the Cherokee County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene with assistance from JSU Center for Applied Forensics. Hudgins was pronounced dead at the scene.
WEIS 100.5 FM/990 AM

Rural New Jersey firefighters donate much-needed equipment to Vance Volunteer Fire Department

Firefighter Hunter Space left his Beemverville Fire Department in Wantage with a pick-up truck full of firefighting gear. After a 14-hour ride, he arrived at the firehouse in rural Vance, Alabama. The trip was to donate the gear his fire department in Sussex County could no longer use to the southern department in need. The gear included breathing apparatus, resistant hoods, turnout gear (pants and coats), flashlights and alarms to alert others when a firefighter "goes down" while battling a fire. "A lot of stuff which was expired up here was golden to them," Space said Tuesday after his return. A fourth-generation volunteer firefighter, Space is a member of the family that owns Space Farms and is the son of Assemblyman Parker Space, a former chief of the Beemerville Fire Department. The rural Alabama town's Fire Department was grateful for the equipment. "We have different standards down here than you have up there," said Vance Fire Chief Harold McAdory in a telephone call on Tuesday.
New Jersey Herald

Public safety professionals training in Huntsville to become explosive specialists

ATF officials in Huntsville are training people from all over the nation to become Certified Explosives Specialists. On Tuesday, students participated in an explosives demolition day at the Capano Range on Redstone Arsenal. As part of their training, ATF employees, state and local police, and fire marshals from all over the country set off explosives to learn more about how they work. Public safety professionals have to be ready for any call they may get. The knowledge they take away from the training will help them to protect the communities they serve. ATF Agent and K-9 Handler for the Detroit Field Division, George Linen, said, "When we're out doing our searches whether it be for a security sweep or if there is a suspicious package, we understand them a little better and can just do a little better in saving the community, keeping the community safe, and understanding distances and things of that nature."
WZDX-TV Fox 54 Huntsville

Sardis City honors firefighter who died from cancer

David Devin took pride in his work and will be remembered for his commitment to help friends in any way possible. Devin, a longtime member of the Sardis City Volunteer Fire Department, was laid to rest Monday, Jan. 18, with his fellow members of the VFD providing an escort fitting his dedication. “We lost David Devin this morning to his battle with cancer,” Sardis City Fire Chief Johnny Crosson said in a Facebook post last Wednesday. “He was a hard worker and was a wonderful friend to many and was always there to lend a hand for whatever needed doing for the fire department and his community. “Please keep his wife, children, mom and other family members in your prayers in the coming days and weeks. His fellow firefighters need your prayers also.” Devin – dubbed ‘Big Dave’ by Crosson – was always there when needed, Crosson said Friday.
Sand Mountain Reporter

Late Chilton County fire chief remembered, named firefighter of the year

The Chilton County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association handed out several honors during its annual banquet on Jan. 15, including its firefighter and paramedic of the year. Lynn Gothard was named the association’s firefighter of the year, which was an honor handed out in memoriam of Gothard, who died in 2019 after years of service. Gothard was a fixture at West Chilton Volunteer Fire Department for decades since he first began taking calls with his grandfather Howard Gothard in 1978. He was known as “Uncle Leonard” by his fellow firefighters. “The ones that knew him knew that he had a servant’s heart,” said Christy Holcombe, who worked with Gothard at West Chilton Fire Department. That was evident in the way Gothard also spent time volunteering with the Jemison Fire Department and with the Jemison Police Department. However, he is best known for his time at West Chilton, where he spent 41 years, including time as chief of the station.
Clanton Advertiser

Grandmother, young grandchildren rescued from Alexander City house fire

Alexander City firefighters are heroes in the eyes of one family. It was a daring rescue and literally a situation where every second counted. The call came in shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday. A home on fire on I Street, fully involved with reports of not one but three people trapped inside, a grandmother and her two grandchildren ages 1 and 4. “I went in that direction and found the infant,” said veteran firefighter Bud Acton. It fell to Acton to summon the courage to rescue them from a blazing furnace. “You don’t think about being tired,” he said. Through dense smoke and flames all around him, Acton managed to pull all three to safety, handing out the babies through the window and crawling out with the grandmother. “And I got her under her arms and started crawling backyards down on the floor dragging her out. Fear never entered my mind,” he said.
WSFA-TV NBC 12 Montgomery

Pelham Fire Department contains brush fire, at least 1 acre of land burned

PHOTO: The Pelham Fire Department has contained an active brush fire Friday evening. The fire has burned an acre of land as of 5:30 p.m. in the 2500 block of Pelham Parkway. PFD says 100% of the fire has been contained as of 6:40 p.m. According to PFD, four engine companies are currently working on the fire and have requested help from the Alabama Forestry Commission. No other information has been released at this time.
WIAT-TV CBS 42 Birmingham

Barbour County: Prescribed burns set for Lakepoint State Park

If you’re inclined to smoke allergies, you may want to call Lakepoint State Park before heading there for a camping, fishing or hunting trip over the next several months. Two prescribed burns are planned to take place on park lands sometime between Tuesday, January 19 and March 2021, weather permitting. The first planned burn will take place in an area of recently planted longleaf pine located near the campground. The second burn will take place in an area adjacent to the lodge and cabins. The parks division says efforts will be made to ensure safety and proper smoke management during the burns, and the project is permitted by the Alabama Forestry Commission. Prescribed fire is an effective way to reduce wildfire risk, getting rid of dry undergrowth with a low “cold” fire that’s typically set on a calm, cool morning. The flames stay low and travel slowly, getting rid of undergrowth and excessive sprouting trees while giving wildlife plenty of time to move away ahead of it.
AL.com