By Scott Mims

Local fire and rescue departments answered 5,634 calls in 2009, nearly 250 less than in the previous year.
The Clanton Fire Department answered the most calls at 1,462, followed by Jemison (669) and North Chilton (385). For the most part, units responded to a comparable number of calls in 2008.
Chilton County E-911 entered 64,874 calls into its CAD system, which was a significant decrease from 2008. During that year, more than 70,000 entries were made. The E-911 statistic includes fire and rescue calls, law enforcement calls, administrative calls and others.
E-911 Director Helen Smith said the decrease may be partially due to advances in communication equipment.
“A lot of officers are starting to use the MDT’s (mobile data terminals) now, and they do their own calling,” Smith said.
Also, in 2008, E-911 handled a high volume of dispatcher training and test calls, which would have been included in the statistic for that year’s calls.
“The volume has well increased in the past decade,” Smith said. “Ten years ago, we were barely using computers.”
Enterprise Fire Department saw an increase of more than 30 calls from 2008 to 2009. District Chief Raymond Hudman said new trailer parks in the area have increased the number of residents served.
Hudman said several new volunteers have come on board in the past year.
“We’ve had a good year personnel wise. We appreciate these young people coming on. A lot of them are in training now,” Hudman said.
The following is a listing of each fire department’s total calls for 2009:
•Clanton: 1,462
•Thorsby: 301
•Jemison: 669
•Maplesville: 176
•Union Grove: 315
•Fairview: 217
•East Chilton: 247
•Collins Chapel: 288
•West Chilton: 362
•Enterprise: 321
•South Chilton: 143
•Isabella: 116
•Verbena: 275
•Gap of the Mountain: 273
•North Chilton: 385
•Cedar Grove (recently formed): 62
•Plantersville (calls inside Chilton County): 22.

Twenty-two graduates completed a 160-hour volunteer firefighter certification course through the Jemison Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 19.
Represented in the group were Jemison, North Chilton, West Chilton, Union Grove, Collins Chapel, Cedar Grove, Enterprise, East Chilton, Verbena, and White City fire departments.
“This is the same education and job performance requirements as if someone went through recruit school,” said Jemison Fire Chief John Dennis, the primary instructor for the course. “Firefighting is the same whether you’re doing it for a career or as a volunteer.”
Dennis, also a captain with Hoover Fire Department, has taught firefighter certification courses since 1995. He said the course helps volunteers have a true understanding of fire behavior, how to attack fires, and how to use equipment properly.
The course ran from June through December and focused on every aspect of firefighting, in addition to rescue training, such as extrication of a crash victim from a wrecked vehicle.
Upon recognition, the graduates received two state certificates, one for volunteer firefighting and another for hazmat (hazardous materials) awareness and operations, Dennis said.
“This is the highest level training that a volunteer can get,” he added.
Over the next two years, Dennis wants to teach other courses so the participating volunteers may build on their training.
These will include a second firefighter certification course and an apparatus operator course.
Dennis said the first course began with 34 volunteers, 22 of which went on to graduate.
“The physical drill part of it was pretty demanding, and to have 22 complete it was outstanding,” he said. “It’s going to greatly improve every department that participated in the class by having more highly skilled firefighters in their department.”

The graduates included the following:

Cortley Minor, Derek Abernathy (Jemison/West Chilton), Caleb Hollis (Jemison/Union Grove), Adam Blow, Tyler Snow, Dustin Walker (Jemison), Kevin Dennis (North Chilton), Carolyn Popwell (Cedar Grove), Jay Littleton, Alisha Minor, Shawn Carlisle, Brandon Pate (Collins Chapel), Catheriene Ferguson, Joe Mattingly, Paula Mattingly, Byran Buckner (Enterprise), Sam Mathis, Matt Rollan, Nick Young (Gap of the Mountain), Traci Terrell (East Chilton), Matt Blackmon and Michael Varden (Verbena).

By Scott Mims

The Jemison City Council voted to hire a part-time paid fire and rescue chief Monday night.
John Dennis was hired to fill the position, whose duties will include overseeing the department’s rules and regulations and the training of volunteers.
Council member Faye King explained that Bobby Tucker and Donna Manasco will remain in their leadership positions over fire and rescue, respectively.
“He’s not taking anybody’s place,” King said of Dennis.
The decision immediately followed an executive session held for the discussion of good name and character.
“We want that fire and rescue department to become what it’s supposed to be,” Mayor Eddie Reed said, thanking all the volunteers for their dedicated service. “There’s a lot of work ahead of us.”
Reed declined to comment on Dennis’ rate of pay.
In other business, the council approved a Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget totaling slightly more than $3,045,000.
The budget projects a revenue increase of approximately $50,000 from the previous fiscal year.
The city also entered into an agreement with the state to regularly maintain pavement, markings and signs near the railroad crossing on Union Grove Road. The crossing is scheduled to receive a signal upgrade soon.
“This has been long and coming,” Reed said. “We’re sure glad to hear it.”

The council also:
• Approved an ordinance outlining personnel rules and regulations for the city
• Approved the annexation of seven acres near the intersection of county roads 42 and 51
• Set the city’s Christmas parade for Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m., preceded by lineup at 1 p.m.