City News

Tuscaloosa, Ala.
City of Tuscaloosa Fire Chief Alan Martin was recognized as the 2013 Fire Chief of the Year by the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs and the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs.These are the highest honors the AAFC and SEAFC can bestow and are presented annually to exceptional fire chiefs. Award recipients' actions and leadership in their profession, home, community and country serve as an example and challenge for all other chief fire executives.“I am extremely proud of the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service and the commitment Chief Martin has made to ensure that our department is among the best-trained and best-prepared in the country,“ Mayor Walter Maddox said.Martin began his fire service career in 1974 as a fire fighter for the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. In July 2002, he was sworn in as fire chief of the City of Tuscaloosa.Martin is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Statewide Trauma and Health Systems Advisory Council and past president of the Alabama Fire Chiefs Association and the Central Alabama Fire Chiefs Association.“Chief Martin is a tremendous asset to the City of Tuscaloosa. We've always known what an outstanding fire chief he is, and it's nice to see him recognized like this,“ Mayor Maddox said. “He's not only a great fire chief, he's a great man.“