03/27/2026
A Message from Chief McKenzie Regarding Emergency Response
To our Fultondale neighbors:
I’ve seen several discussions lately on local community pages regarding close calls with emergency vehicles and questions about why sirens sometimes seem "silent" until we are right on top of an intersection. These are valid concerns, and I want to address them directly.
Our goal is always to get to you as quickly as possible, but we can't help anyone if we don't make it to the scene safely. Here is what is happening behind the scenes when those tones drop:
The "Soundproof" Challenge: Modern vehicles are built to be incredibly quiet. Between acoustic glass and heavy insulation, your car is essentially a rolling sound booth. This means you often won't hear a siren—even a loud one—until we are very close.
Physics of Sound: Siren speakers are mounted on the front of the truck, so the sound is pushed forward. If you are approaching us from a side street or around a building (like the CVS at Hwy 31), that sound is literally being blocked by the environment until our front bumper clears the corner.
Our Policy: FFR crews are trained to "Stop and Proceed" at all red lights. We do not just fly through intersections. We use our mechanical air horns (the loud "honk") specifically to grab your attention in those busy areas.
Digital Sirens: To combat the quietness of modern cars, our fleet is equipped with HAAS Alerting. If you use Waze, Apple Maps, or drive a newer vehicle (like a Jeep, RAM, or Chrysler), you should receive a digital alert on your dashboard when we are nearby with our lights on.
Our Open Door Policy
We want to hear from you. We maintain an open door policy here at Fultondale Fire & Rescue, not just to address concerns or close calls, but because we want you to feel welcome to come by, talk with us, and learn more about how your fire department operates.
If you have a specific question or just want to stop in and say hello, please reach out to me or my administrative staff. I would much rather have a professional conversation with you than see a neighbor get hurt or feel unheard.
Contact Information:
Phone: 205-841-0075
Email: [email protected]
Administrative Office: 1015 Old Walker Chapel Rd, Fultondale, AL 35068
Thank you for staying alert and for helping us keep Fultondale safe.
Justin McKenzie
Fire Chief, Fultondale Fire & Rescue
