Mobile Fire-Rescue talks training recruits and retention issues

Mobile Fire Rescue is in the process of training new recruits. They invited the media to tag along and see the stress the recruits are put through before they can wear the uniform. And while getting recruits is not the problem for Mobile Fire-Rescue, they tell us retention is. These new recruits are learning some tough lessons. They’re being put through the ringer, on their way to becoming the men and women you’ll rely on in an emergency. “Just the hard work and the service, that’s what I want to do. It makes a difference. I want a career that matters,” says recruit Jamad Smith. And these recruits were giving it their all. But getting recruits isn’t a problem for Mobile Fire Rescue. Retention is.
WPMI-TV NBC 15 Mobile

Two children safe after water rescue near Birmingham fire station on Valley Creek

Birmingham Fire and Rescue confirmed two kids were safely removed from the water Thursday night near Valley Creek in the West End neighborhood. Birmingham Fire Battalion Chief Jackie Hicks said the station received a call about a water rescue needed for two kids in the 4800 block of Avenue West. They arrived to A Birmingham Fire Station is located in the 4800 block of Avenue West. It is unclear how close the rescue happened to the station. The kids were trapped on a patch of land in the water and the waters were rising quickly. Crews used a tag line rope to go in and walk the kids out as the water level receded. Hicks said the kids were okay but shaken up. The Birmingham area saw plenty of rain between 6 p.m. and about 7:15 p.m. Thursday night. Officials said Valley Creek is prone to fast rising water when it rains.
WBMA-LD ABC 33/40 Birmingham

Update: ‘Armed and dangerous’ man sought after body found in burning Birmingham house arrested in Oklahoma

The man sought in connection with the death of a person found in a burning abandoned Birmingham house was arrested in Oklahoma Wednesday night. Youit De Witt Jones, 35, was booked into the Carter County Jail Jail at 11:13 p.m., jail records show. He is being held there on a second-degree robbery charge. No additional details surrounding his arrest there were immediately available. Ardmore police Capt. Claude Henry said they are not releasing additional information because the investigation is ongoing. He referred all additional questions to Birmingham police. Jones has not yet been charged with any crime in relation to the Birmingham homicide earlier this week. Police, however, issued an “urgent” alert for him Tuesday night, describing him as “armed and dangerous.”
AL.com

Perry County Commission makes $58K payment to Association of Volunteer Fire Departments

The Perry County Commission made a $58,988 payment to the Perry County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, an "old" debt some time in the making, said a post from Commissioner Albert Turner Jr. Turner stated that the payment was owed to the association because of revenues built up from the fire tax. He said that the underpayment of the revenues happened under a previous administration in the fiscal years 2015 to 2020. "I desire to get this county back with a credit rating and (in) good financial shape," Turner said in his post and added that he was notified of the underpayments by state auditors that saw that the association had not been paid during those fiscal years. Turner's post said that once the association is paid, the state law requires that they "divide the funds equally among all eligible volunteer fire departments and the Alabama Forestry Commission at the quarterly meetings of the county association."
Selma Sun

Update: Dothan man indicted on charges he set downtown fires

Jeffrey Watford who faces charges that he intentionally set two downtown Dothan fires has been indicted. In March, those fires were ignited about 15 minutes apart in a three-block area of Oates Street. They caused significant damage to the vacant buildings, one a hotel that is to be transformed into apartments. “When (officers) arrived at the second fire, they saw this individual who appeared to be suspicious to them,” Dothan Police Lieutenant Ronald Hall told News 4 of Watford’s arrest. He confessed, per Hall. Court records indicate that Watford was ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment following his 2020 arrest on Houston County drug charges. His current charges are two counts of second-degree arson. Second degree arson is charged when fires are intentionally set in unoccupied structures.
WTVY-TV CBS 4 Dothan

1 woman killed, others injured in multi-vehicle accident on Hwy 31 in Calera

Authorities say a woman died Wednesday, August 10 in a multi-vehicle accident in Calera. The crash happened on Highway 31 just north of Highway 70. That area was closed while first responders treated the injured and took them to a hospital. The Shelby County Coroner identified the victim as 24-year-old Jacqueline Grace Beverley. Calera Fire Chief Sean Kendrick says they got the call around 9:45 a.m. about a wreck involving an 18-wheeler and two vehicles. A person in one of the vehicles died. The others involved in the crash, including children, were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries.
WBRC-TV FOX 6 Birmingham