Speake Volunteer Fire & Rescue District

05/14/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

The next scheduled Board of Directors meeting for the Speake Volunteer Fire & Rescue District will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Speake Fire Station #1, located at 6449 County Road 81, Danville, Alabama 35619.

05/10/2026

You’ve probably heard us talk about or post about being an Advanced Life Support (ALS) agency. This is a major responsibility and an important service for our community that demonstrates the dedication of our membership.

Many of our members must maintain extensive continuing education training, as well as undergo annual inspections and licensure renewals through the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of EMS.

I am proud to announce that we have officially recertified as an Advanced Life Support ALS-1 agency for the second year in a row.

This certification is critical for our community’s safety and allows us to offer the highest level of pre-hospital care possible to our sick and injured patients.

Thank you for the continued support you show through donations and fundraising events that allow us to continue operating at this level. Your support truly makes a difference.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Barry Lumpkins for his dedication and leadership in overseeing our Advanced Life Support program as our Medical Director.

Gunnar Walling, Fire Chief / Paramedic

05/08/2026

The craft of firefighting and answering the call during someone’s worst moments of their life is not for the faint of heart.

For May’s first monthly training, crews deployed hose lines, flowed water, relay pumped, and established water supply from a hydrant by hand-jacking approximately 300 feet of supply line. These drills develop the coordination, teamwork, and skills necessary to effectively answer your call for help when seconds matter most.

We can never overstate our gratitude for the commitment of the volunteers who step up to serve our communities, nor for the seasoned instructors who invest their time and knowledge into training the next generation of firefighters. Their dedication ensures we remain ready when our community needs us most.

04/30/2026

At approximately 0855 hours on April 30, 2026, the Speake Volunteer Fire & Rescue District was dispatched by Lawrence County 911 to a reported multi-vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of Alabama Highway 157 and Alabama Highway 36.

Car 9, Engine 905, and additional Speake fire units responded to the scene. Units arrived at approximately 0900 hours and found a two-vehicle collision with all occupants out of the vehicles and reporting non-life-threatening injuries. Initially westbound traffic was temporarily shut down for our crew’s safety.

One patient was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and care. Speake fire units remained on scene until the roadway was cleared and traffic flow was restored.

We would like to thank all responding agencies for their continued partnership and commitment to protecting our community.

Chief - Gunnar Walling

04/30/2026

The Speake Volunteer Fire Department is proud to support our community and help spread the word for a great cause!

🛍️ Speake Senior Center Annual Yard Sale
📅 May 1st & 2nd
⏰ 8:00 AM – Until
📍 6619 County Road 81, Danville

👉 NOW ACCEPTING DONATIONS!
If you have gently used items to give, please consider donating to help support the Speake Senior Center and the seniors in our community.

Every item donated and every purchase made goes back into supporting a place that means a lot to so many.

📞 For more information or to donate: 256-974-1457

Let’s come together and show up strong for our seniors. We hope to see you there!

04/12/2026

As Fire Chief, I want to take a moment to speak directly to our community.

This has been a hard week for our responders. A week ago today, our crews raced to the scene of a child in cardiac arrest following a drowning. Yesterday, our crews responded again, assisting our brothers of Moulton Fire Department with another unimaginable tragedy.

Our volunteers have been pushed physically, mentally, and emotionally. These men and women give their time, their energy, and precious moments away from their families to serve this community in times of need, often without recognition and always without hesitation.

Despite all of that, they continue to show up. Because this is exactly why they signed up, to be there for our community in its greatest time of need and to stand beside our citizens when tragedy strikes. It does not make it hurt any less. We are still human. But we will continue to answer the call, day after day, because if we do not, who will?

I ask that you continue to keep the families and individuals involved in your thoughts and prayers, and especially our Speake and Lawrence County first responders who have been impacted and continue to answer every call that comes in.

We are grateful to serve this community. Hug your loved ones a little tighter and do not take a single moment for granted.

Gunnar Walling, Fire Chief

04/11/2026

Save lives and support your Speake Volunteer Fire & Rescue District TODAY!

🚑 Support Speake Volunteer Fire Department – Give Blood, Save Lives! 🩸

Join us in partnering with LifeSouth for a community blood drive that helps both our fire department and patients in critical need of blood products.

📅 Date: Saturday, April 11th📍 Location: Wiggins Grocery

The blood drive will be from 9 AM-2 PM.

📞 To schedule your donation time, contact: Trisha Stockwell 205-530-8002

Every donation makes a difference—help us continue serving our community while supporting lifesaving care for others. We hope to see you there!

04/06/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2026

At approximately 5:13 PM, crews from Speake Fire & Rescue District and Greg's Ambulance Service were dispatched to a reported pediatric drowning in the Kitchens Mill / Five Points community.

At 5:20 PM, Speake Fire EMS personnel arrived on scene and immediately assumed patient care, initiating advanced life support measures. The patient was found to be in cardiac arrest. Crews continued aggressive life-saving efforts and successfully regained a pulse while en route to the hospital. The patient was initially transported to a nearby freestanding emergency room for stabilization.

Due to the critical nature of the incident, the patient was subsequently airlifted by Air Evac Lifeteam 177 - Athens, Alabama to Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham for more advanced treatment.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the child and family during this tragic time. We ask our community to join us in lifting them up in prayer as they navigate the days ahead.

Gunnar Walling, Fire Chief / Paramedic
Speake Fire & Rescue District

04/03/2026

Speake Fire (UTV 9) responded today to assist with an ongoing fire in the Chalybeate Fire & Rescue district.

We’re incredibly grateful for equipment like UTV 9 that allows our firefighters to access difficult terrain and operate more efficiently. Situations like this are good reminders of how important it is to invest in the tools and resources our volunteers need to protect the lives and property of the citizens we serve daily.