City of Albemarle Fire Department

05/20/2026

A contractor is conducting blasting in area of the Northeast Connector and US Hwy 52 Today, 5/20/26.

05/13/2026

AFD Responds to Residential Structure Fire - At approximately 1:02 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the Albemarle Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of Arey Avenue.

Upon arrival, crews found smoke coming from a single‑story residence, and the Shift Commander established command and upgraded the incident to a working fire.

Firefighters initiated an interior search while crews performed a 360-degree assessment and began ventilation operations. Residents reported that all occupants had exited the home but that two dogs were unaccounted for. Crews located one dog inside the structure, removed it safely, and provided oxygen before turning care over to EMS. A second dog was confirmed in the backyard. Both dogs were later released to the owners for veterinary transport.

City utilities responded to secure power, and additional fire companies assisted with search, ventilation, water supply, and overhaul operations. The fire was brought under control at 1:32 p.m., approximately 30 minutes after dispatch.

The Albemarle Fire Department’s Fire Marshal conducted an on‑scene investigation, and the American Red Cross arrived to assist the displaced residents. All fire units cleared the scene at 2:49 p.m.

The Albemarle Fire Department thanks all supporting agencies (Station 65/65, Station 34, Station 28, Stanly County EMS, APD) and commends the quick work of firefighters in controlling the fire and ensuring the safety of residents and their pets.

Investigation determined the fire started in the home's kitchen on a stovetop.

05/11/2026

Make a Life-Saving Difference! We’re looking for dedicated individuals to join our growing department!

Albemarle Fire personnel are highly trained to respond to fire and emergency health situations.

Benefits include:
• Paid holiday, vacation, and sick time
• Paid health insurance
• Paid annual NFPA & DOT physicals ($650 value)
• Two pension funds:
- NC Firefighters’ Pension Fund
-Local Government Employee Retirement System
• 401(k) with a 2% match by the City
• Tuition reimbursement
• Two sets of turnout gear for all firefighters

Apply now to become a City of Albemarle Firefighter: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/albemarle/jobs/5245589/firefighter?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

05/08/2026

BURN BAN LIFTED 5/8/26 - The Stanly County Fire Marshal’s Office and City of Albemarle Fire Marshal’s Office have lifted the local burn ban effective 12:00 p.m. today, Friday, May 8, 2026. This follows the North Carolina Forest Service lifting the statewide burn ban effective 8:00 a.m.

Burn permits are still REQUIRED for any open burning. Previous permits issued before the burn ban are no longer valid and residents must obtain a new permit.

Get a permit here:
https://apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits

🔥 BURN BAN LIFTED 🔥

The Stanly County Fire Marshal’s Office and City of Albemarle Fire Marshal’s Office have lifted the local burn ban effective 12:00 p.m. today, Friday, May 8, 2026. This follows the North Carolina Forest Service lifting the statewide burn ban effective 8:00 a.m.

⚠️ Burn permits are still REQUIRED for any open burning. Previous permits issued before the burn ban are no longer valid and residents must obtain a new permit.

Get a permit here:
https://apps.ncagr.gov/burnpermits

✅ LEGAL TO BURN:
• Leaves
• Limbs & brush
• Yard debris
• Untreated natural vegetation

❌ ILLEGAL TO BURN:
• Trash or household garbage
• Plastics or rubber
• Treated lumber
• Construction debris
• Tires or shingles

Please burn responsibly:
• Never leave a fire unattended
• Keep water or extinguishing tools nearby
• Avoid burning during windy conditions

Residents within municipal limits should also check with local officials regarding any additional burning ordinances.

For questions, contact the Stanly County Fire Marshal’s Office or City of Albemarle Fire Marshal’s Office.

https://getrave.com/m/2oGHtj9yj95Eb

04/23/2026

Important Reminder - Both the Statewide Burn Ban (issued by the N.C. Forest Service) and the Local Stanly County Burn Ban (issued by the Stanly County and City of Albemarle Fire Marshal’s Offices) remain in effect.

Due to critically high fire danger, absolutely no open burning is permitted anywhere in Stanly County.

Because both state and local bans are active, there are zero exceptions. This total prohibition includes campfires, bonfires, and agricultural burning.

Open burning puts our community at extreme risk and depletes emergency resources. To report illegal burning, call 704-986-3700 or 911.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is open burning?
A: Open burning includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal.

Q: May I still use my grill or barbecue?
A: Yes, if no other local ordinances prohibit their use.

Q: How should I report a wildfire?
A: Call 911 to report a wildfire.

Q: How should I report a person who intentionally starts a wildfire?
A: Call 911 to report a wildfire.

Q: My local fire marshal has also issued a burn ban for my county. What does this mean?
A: The burn ban issued by the N.C. Forest service does not apply to a fire within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. Local government agencies have jurisdiction over open burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The Stanly County Fire Marshal & City of Albemarle Fire Marshal have issued burn bans, in conjunction with the Forestry Service ban, which prohibit burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling anywhere in Stanly County.

Q: Are there other instances which impact open burning?
A: Local ordinances and air quality regulations may impact open burning. For instance, outdoor burning is prohibited in areas covered by Code Orange or Code Red air quality forecasts. Learn more about air quality forecasts at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/air-qualityoutreach-education/air-quality-forecasts.

Q: Can I have a campfire when I go camping?
A: Campfires would be considered open burning and are not exempt from the burn ban. During a burn ban, portable gas stoves or grills are alternate methods for cooking food while camping.

03/31/2026

Thanks to WSOC-TV for highlighting the success of our City’s Fire Department. The Albemarle Fire Department recently earned an ISO Class 2 rating from the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal. This significant achievement places the department among the top-performing fire agencies in the state.

Fire Chief Kendall highlighted the City’s investments that helped make this possible, including a new pumper truck and a fully refurbished ladder truck. AFD has also established an award‑winning firefighter training academy, and the City recently added ten additional firefighters.

When combining the budgets of Fire and Police, the City spends more on public safety than it collects in property taxes. Sales tax and other revenue sources provide additional funding to support these services.

The prioritization of public safety directly aligns with the City of Albemarle’s award‑winning strategic plan, which includes the goal of enhancing safety and security. The plan was developed based on feedback from residents through a community survey.

Insurance premiums are expected to decrease in Albemarle as the city’s fire department is now rated among the top in the state.

03/28/2026

Stanly County, NC Burn Ban Issued

March 28th, 2026 – The Stanly County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a burn ban for all unincorporated areas of the county and Municipalities, effective 6pm today, Saturday March, 28th.This ban is in conjunction with the burn ban issued by the NC Forestry Service and applies to any and all open burning within 100 feet of a structure.

The burn ban applies to all parts of Stanly County. The ban includes all outdoor fires, including campfires, bonfires, and agricultural burning. During a burn ban all burning must cease, or be postponed, and burn permits are cancelled.

The burn ban is necessary due to the dry weather conditions and high fire danger. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

Violations of the burn ban may result in a fine of up to $250 for first offenses.

The City of Albemarle Fire Marshal has also issued a Burn Ban for areas within the city limits of Albemarle.

For more information, please contact the Stanly County Fire Marshal's Office at 704-986-3655 or the City of Albemarle Fire Marshal at 704-984-9480.

Due to increased wildfire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 until further notice.

Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted. Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

The burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within those 100 feet.

Read news release: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/03/28/statewide-burn-ban-issued-north-carolina-due-hazardous-forest-fire-conditions

03/16/2026

At the Albemarle Fire Department, training never stops. Recently, five AFD members joined firefighters from across the region for Thermal Imager School at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The course provided hands-on training using thermal imaging techniques under live-fire conditions.

The Albemarle Fire Department equips every firefighter position on each apparatus with a thermal imaging camera (TIC). TICs are essential tools in the fire service, enabling personnel to identify heat signatures in low‑ to zero‑visibility environments.

Firefighters rely on these devices to locate the seat of the fire, identify trapped victims, determine exit paths, and monitor structural integrity throughout operations.

AFD Staff pictured Left to Right:
FF Schrump
FF Hathcock
FF Helms
FF Burbank
FF C. Barbee

03/06/2026

03/03/2026

The Albemarle Fire Department has earned an ISO Class 2 rating from the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal. This significant achievement places the Albemarle Fire Department among the top-performing fire agencies in the state.

Fire departments across North Carolina receive scores from the Insurance Services Office (ISO), on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 representing the highest level of performance. Most fire departments statewide hold an ISO Class 5 rating. Prior to its most recent evaluation, the Albemarle Fire Department held an ISO Class 3 rating. Only five percent of fire departments in North Carolina, volunteer and career combined, hold an ISO Class 2 rating.

Improved fire class ratings can lower insurance premiums for residents, businesses, and industries. Excellence in public safety also improves the City’s ability to recruit and retain business and industry.

State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor congratulated Albemarle Fire Chief Kenny Kendall and the entire department for earning an ISO Class 2 rating. "The residents of Albemarle can take comfort in knowing this highly capable team of firefighters from the Albemarle Fire Department is safeguarding them and their belongings in the event of an emergency," said Taylor.

Inspections are conducted every five years. The fire department is graded on training, equipment, operating procedures, and resource deployment. Additionally, the Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction efforts including education, inspection, and fire prevention are evaluated.

The City’s water system is graded on the quantity of water available for fire protection, the concentration of fire hydrants, and the reliability of the system.

Emergency dispatch is rated based on its ability to receive, process, and dispatch structure fire calls within the standard set forth by the National Fire Protection Association, as well as system reliability and redundancy.

Fire Chief Kendall highlighted the City’s investments that helped make this achievement possible. “Over the past few years, the City has refurbished a ladder truck and funded the purchase of a brand new one.We’ve also purchased a brand-new pumper truck. We added ten more firefighters, which allowed us to put another truck in service,” said Kendall. “We’ve expanded our specialized training, including work in controlled facilities. AFD also developed an award-winning firefighter training academy so that recruits are fully trained by us and ready to work from day one.”

When combining the budgets of Fire and Police, the City spends more on public safety than it collects in property taxes. Sales tax and other revenue sources provide additional funding to support these services. The prioritization of public safety directly aligns with the City of Albemarle’s award-winning strategic plan, which includes the goal of enhancing safety and security. The plan was developed based on feedback from residents through a community survey.

The City of Albemarle Fire Department’s new ISO Class 2 rating becomes effective June 1, 2026.