Cedar Grove Fire Department- Chilton County, AL.

09/05/2026

AUGUST 2026 MONTHLY REPORT:

August was another busy and productive month at Cedar Grove Fire Department.

Our members responded to 39 calls for service, bringing CGFD to 289 total calls through August 31, 2026.

August Calls
• 13 Emergency Medical
• 11 Cancelled
• 6 Lift Assists
• 5 Structure Fires
• 2 No Incident Found
• 1 Fire Alarm
• 1 Brush Fire

Of those calls, 26 were within the CGFD coverage area and 13 were outside our coverage area, assisting our neighboring departments and communities.

Top Responder: Austin Davis with 13 responses.

But answering calls is only part of what happens behind the scenes at CGFD. August was also a big month for training, equipment, and readiness.

• Annual Pump and Ladder Testing completed
• Annual SCBA and Cascade System PM and Flow Testing completed
• Jimmy Minor passed Fire Officer I
• Jacob Davis passed Fire Instructor I
• Tucker Bradford began Paramedic school
• James Carpenter began Advanced EMT school
• New battery-powered extrication tools delivered and placed in-service

Thank you to our members for the hours they dedicate to training, maintaining equipment, and answering the call — and thank you to our community for your continued support.

08/28/2026

Shortly after 2:00 A.M. this morning, Cedar Grove was dispatched to mutual aid Jemison FD on a residential structure fire. CGFD responded with PT 19-1 along with 4 personnel.

08/26/2026

CEDAR GROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT — BY THE NUMBERS

Training and professional development are essential to keeping our department prepared to serve our community. Our 35 members hold certifications across fire suppression, EMS, apparatus operations, leadership, hazardous materials, and technical rescue.

EMS
• 7 EMTs
• 3 Advanced EMTs
• 9 Paramedics

FIREFIGHTERS
• 6 Certified Volunteer Firefighters
• 15 Firefighter I/II (Certified Career Firefighters)
• 3 Firefighter II
• 1 Airport Firefighter
• 1 Alabama Smoke Diver
• 15 Rapid Intervention Crew Members

APPARATUS OPERATIONS
• 15 Pumper Operators
• 13 Aerial Operators
• 10 Mobile Water Supply Operators
• 1 ARFF Apparatus Operator

INSTRUCTOR & EDUCATION
• 1 Fire & Life Safety Educator I
• 13 Instructor I
• 6 Instructor II
• 3 Live Fire Instructor / Live Fire Instructor In-Charge

FIRE OFFICER & LEADERSHIP
• 12 Fire Officer I
• 5 Fire Officer II
• 1 Fire Officer III
• 1 Fire Officer IV
• 4 Incident Safety Officers
• 1 Public Information Officer

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
• 22 Hazmat A&O
• 9 Hazmat Technicians

INSPECTION & INVESTIGATION
• 3 Fire Inspector I
• 5 Fire Investigators

TECHNICAL RESCUE PERSONNEL
• 9 Common Passenger Vehicle
• 1 Heavy Vehicle
• 5 Confined Space
• 13 Rope A&O
• 9 Rope Technicians
• 2 Trench
• 6 Surface Water
• 6 Swift Water
• 2 Structural Collapse
• 2 Watercraft
• 2 Wilderness

COMMUNICATIONS
• 1 Public Safety Telecommunicator I/II

Every certification represents hours of classroom instruction, hands-on training, testing, continuing education, and dedication from our members.

Our members prepare for much more than structure fires. They train to respond to medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, firefighter emergencies, technical rescues, water emergencies, and many other situations.

We are proud of the dedication our members continue to show and the capabilities they bring to Cedar Grove Fire Department.

08/26/2026

HIGH-QUALITY PRE-HOSPITAL EMS — RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY

Did you know that Cedar Grove Fire Department is licensed through the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Office of EMS as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Level 1 Non-Transport Service?

This means our trained EMS personnel can provide advanced lifesaving care at the scene, including advanced procedures and medications used to treat serious illnesses and injuries before a patient reaches the hospital.

While CGFD does not transport patients, we can begin advanced treatment on scene and work alongside the transporting ambulance service to provide seamless patient care.

CGFD currently has two units equipped with advanced medical equipment, including:

• Cardiac monitors for identifying heart rhythms, cardiac monitoring, and defibrillation
• Video laryngoscopes for advanced airway management and intubation
• LUCAS devices for mechanical CPR during cardiac arrest

Last week, the ADPH Office of EMS conducted our annual inspection and found zero deficiencies among our equipment and apparatus. This is a true testament to the pride our members take in maintaining our equipment, our readiness, and the level of EMS service we are proud to provide to our community.

Our current EMS team includes:

• 9 Paramedics
• 3 Advanced EMTs
• 7 EMTs
• Multiple First Responders/EMRs

We also have plans to continue expanding our equipment and capabilities to further strengthen the advanced lifesaving care available to our community.

When someone calls 911, every minute matters. Our goal is to bring high-quality emergency medical care directly to the patient and begin lifesaving treatment as quickly as possible.

08/22/2026

🚒 The Path to Becoming a Certified Volunteer Firefighter Starts Here! 🚒

Have you ever thought about becoming a volunteer firefighter? Now is your opportunity to answer the call and serve your community!

Beginning September 2026, the Cedar Grove Fire Department will be hosting a Volunteer Firefighter Certification Class through the Alabama Fire College.

🔥 Training Includes:
✅ Fire Support Person
✅ Hazardous Materials Operations
✅ Volunteer Firefighter Task Book

📅 Class Schedule:
• September 2026 – April 2027
• Thursdays: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• A limited number of Monday evening and Saturday sessions will also be scheduled.

👨‍🚒 Requirements:
✔️ Must be 18 years of age or older.

📍 Mandatory Orientation
🗓 Monday, August 24, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM

📝 Register Today:
https://www.alabamafirecollege.org/course/fire-support-person/

📞 Questions?
Contact Assistant Chief Galen Smitherman
📱 (205) 299-8394

Serving as a volunteer firefighter is more than earning a certification—it's becoming part of a family dedicated to protecting lives, property, and our community.

08/16/2026

Interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter?

Cedar Grove Fire Department is looking for new members to join our team.

If you’re 18 or older and interested in serving your community, we’d love to hear from you. If you’re 17, you may also be able to begin training before your 18th birthday.

This is also a great opportunity for high school students or anyone interested in starting a career in the Fire/EMS service. Over the years, we’ve had several people get their start as volunteers with our department and go on to become career firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.

No previous experience or training is required.

As a volunteer, there are opportunities for training and certifications, including:

• Certified Volunteer Firefighter
• EMR
• EMT
• Advanced EMT
• Paramedic
• Alabama Volunteer First Responder Responder Tax Credit Incentive
• EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic reimbursement opportunities
• Other fire, rescue, and EMS training opportunities

Cedar Grove Fire Department is a 100% volunteer department operating out of two stations and responding to an average of 450–500 fire and EMS calls each year.

There’s an opportunity for everyone, including:

• Fire Suppression
• Emergency Medical Services / First Responder
• Support Roles

Requirements:

• 18 years old or older (17-year-olds may begin training before turning 18)
• No felonies
• Must be able to pass a drug test and background check
• Current Drivers License
• Preferably live within 5 miles of the CGFD coverage area. Those living outside the 5-mile area may be considered with approval from the CGFD Board of Directors.
• Willing to learn, train, and be an active member of the department

Being a volunteer is more than just responding to calls. You’ll have the opportunity to help people in your community, protect lives and property, gain valuable experience, and build friendships along the way.

We’re proud of the family environment we have at Cedar Grove, and we’re always looking for people who want to be a part of it.

Come be a part of our team.

If you’re interested, fill out an application here:

Please click the link to complete this form.

08/13/2026

A little after 11:00 a.m. today, Cedar Grove Fire Department’s Pumper-Tanker 19-1 and Engine 19-1 responded to assist South Chilton Fire Department, Isabella Fire Department, and Maplesville Fire Department with a residential structure fire in the 800 block of County Road 342.

Crews from all four departments worked together to bring the fire under control and complete overhaul operations.

We appreciate the teamwork and cooperation of our neighboring departments. Strong mutual aid makes a difference when it matters most.

08/04/2026

Monthly Activity Report for July 2026

07/26/2026

This morning at approximately 10:40 a.m., Cedar Grove Fire Department responded to assist Gap of the Mountain Fire Department with a structure fire in the 3000 block of County Road 51.

Cedar Grove responded with Engine 19-1, Grass 19-1, and four personnel. Upon arrival, crews found a well-involved detached garage with immediate exposure hazards to nearby structures. Firefighters quickly initiated an aggressive fire attack, successfully bringing the fire under control and preventing further extension.

Additional assistance was provided by Collins Chapel Fire Department, Union Grove Fire Department, Jemison Fire Department, and East Chilton Fire Department.

Thankfully, there were no injuries to civilians or emergency personnel.

Excellent work by all departments involved. Thank you to everyone for your professionalism, teamwork, and dedication in protecting our communities.