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Fire Department

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1. Where are Tuscaloosa's Fire Stations located?

#1 2527 6th Street
#2 322 Paul W. Bryant Drive
#3 202 Rice Valley Road NE
#4 2113 University Boulevard E
#5 2200 Greensboro Avenue
#6 3029 Loop Road
#7 105 Skyland Boulevard
#8 2200 Culver Road
#9 3924 Woodland Forrest Drive
#10 8101 New Watermelon Road
#11 10293 Covered Bridge Road
#12 Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport

2. In an emergency, should I call 911 or can I call my nearest fire station directly?

The 911 system is designed to save you valuable seconds because the system routes calls to the fire or police units that are closest to your home. Fire stations are not equipped to take such calls and doing so would actually reduce response time. It is also possible that no firefighters would be at the station due to being on a call, whereas 911 calls will always be answered.

3. How often should I change the batteries in my smoke detectors?

You should replace the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year. A good way to remember is to do this when you change your clocks for the time change in spring and fall.

4. What should a driver do when an emergency vehicle approaches?

Safely pull to the right and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Be aware there may be more than one vehicle that needs to pass.

5. How should a disabled person plan for a fire emergency?

Assure that you have a well-defined escape plan. Make sure that people who are confined to a wheelchair have immediate access to their wheelchair when an emergency occurs. It is usually better for disabled persons to have ready access to outside exits.

6. What is the City of Tuscaloosa's ISO rating?

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) has given the City of Tuscaloosa a Class 3 Rating.

7. What kind of Emergency Medical Services do you provide?

All City Firefighters are trained to First Responder levels in emergency medical response. Almost all are basic emergency medical technicians or paramedics.

8. Does the fire department get cats out of trees?

No. Try opening a can of tuna or cat food and wait for the cat to come down on its own.

9. How can I schedule the Fire Dept. to provide safety information at my function?

Call the Public Safety Educator at (205) 349-0322 at least 2 weeks in advance to determine availability.

10. What do firefighters do when they are not on a call?

Training takes up a great deal of their time when they are not at an emergency. Firefighters also participate in fire safety inspections, public education and pre-fire planning. They often drive the community to become familiar with the area to reduce response time during incidents. Firefighters must also check and maintain their equipment, and clean and maintain their stations.

11. Why do so many fire engines respond to a fire that seems small?

The standard response to a residential structure fire includes three engine companies, one ladder truck company, one rescue truck and one chief officer. As soon as the first arriving engine determines that other resources are not needed, they are immediately released. The main goal of the Tuscaloosa Fire & Rescue Service is to save lives and property, and this level of response is necessary to accomplish this goal over 95% of the time.

12. How many calls does the department respond to each year?

The Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Department responds to an annual average of 8,000 calls for assistance; almost 90% of the calls are for emergency medical assistance to the sick or injured.

13. How do I get a copy of a fire report?

Fire run reports are available from Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service administrative offices on the first floor of the City Hall Annex on University Blvd. Office hours are 7:00-5:00, Monday-Friday. Phone 248-5420.

14. Why does a fire engine respond with an ambulance?

Current industry standard for an effective fire response is four personnel on an engine. The required crew for an ambulance is two personnel, but most patients require the assistance of more than two pairs of caring hands whenever an ambulance is summoned. Responding with an engine and a rescue vehicle ensures an adequate crew for any situation we might encounter.

15. Why do fire crews work 24-hour shifts?

Because crews work 24-hour shifts, the average fighter workweek is 56 hours. If crews were to work 8-hour shifts (40-hour weeks), an entire fourth shift of 18 people would need to be added. This is the most cost-effective work schedule for fire protection.

16. Why do we see fire crews at the grocery store?

Because crews work a 24-hour shift, they must eat their lunch and dinner at the station. The firefighters eat the same meal, as a group. The crews pay for their food out of their own pockets. Each morning, after equipment is checked and housework completed, one of the vehicles (engine or rescue truck) will make a quick trip to the grocery store to purchase the food for the shift. All crews remain in service to respond to calls during this time.

17. How can I donate a structure for the fire dept. to use in training?

Abandoned buildings or structures slated for demolition provide firefighters with additional experience working in live structures. Structures can be donated for non-destructive training, destructive training or burn training. Considerable preparation time may be required of the owner beforehand. All training structures need an asbestos survey and provide proof of no insurance. It is important to note the structure is not reduced to an easily moved pile of rubble but rather a burned-out structure that will need to be removed by the owner. For more information, contact the Fire Marshal at 248-5420.

18. Why do firefighters break windows & cut holes in roofs during a fire?

Fire in a building creates a tremendous amount of heat and smoke. In many instances, firefighters must remove this heat and smoke before they can get close enough to extinguish the fire. Heat and smoke rise, so cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out windows in strategic locations allows the smoke to vent upwards, allowing cool air to enter the structure from below. This improves visibility and lowers heat conditions for the firefighters inside, allowing them to quickly and safely extinguish the fire. Remember, heat and smoke cause damage, too, so ventilation will actually reduce overall damage to a building and contents.