host posted on September 09, 2009 07:39
By Adam Smith
The North Jefferson News
People living in east Fultondale can now feel a little more comfortable about the safety of their homes.
Workers put the finishing touches on a new fire station this week, located in the old automotive tech building on the campus of Fultondale High School. The installation of electronic gates was completed on Tuesday.
“The new station will help us cover people in that area of town,” said Fultondale fire chief Larry Holcomb. “This will also help us with our ISO rating.”
The department’s current ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating is now a 6. Holcomb said the new station, in addition to other measures the department is taking, could help lower the rating to a 4. A lower ISO rating means savings for homeowners on insurance policies.
Holcomb said there may not be as many residents in that part of Fultondale now, but a new housing development is being built behind the school. There is also a number of businesses in the area.
The new fire station, dubbed the “No. 3” station, will also house the office of the city’s fire marshall, Scott Fassina. Though Fassina works part-time for the city, he said he’s never had the luxury of having an office before.
“My car has been my office for the last 20 years,” he said. “Now I’ll have a place to keep my records and work out of.”
The city’s plan to expand fire department services has been in the works for a while. Earlier this year, property was purchased on Walker Chapel Road for a second location. The department is hoping to secure grant funding to aid in the building of that station.
The department is also adding to its vehicle fleet. A refurbished rescue unit is scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday. A service truck donated to the department is also now in service and helps the department carry extra equipment to a fire or accident scene.
The department will also receive its new $350,000 fire engine / pumper in November. The city has also received a $50,000 grant from the Alabama Forestry Commission to help equip the truck.
Holcomb said the department is also stepping up training efforts and extending training sessions to firefighters outside of Fultondale. This week, the department invited Birmingham’s HAZMAT team to teach a hands-on class on hazardous materials handling.
“This is not just for us; the other departments can also benefit,” Holcomb said.