Hoover Fire Department

The Hoover Fire Department is responsible for responding to fires, medical, and hazardous material spills in Hoover. The department consists of approximately 150 emergency responders assigned to ten fire stations throughout the city. In addition to the main department, there is also the Hazardous Material Response Unit and the Fire Prevention Bureau, which consists of 5 personnel who oversee inspections and related matters. The fire chief is Clay Bentley.

History

Hoover's Fire Department began in 1962, almost five years before the city's incorporation, as the Hoover Volunteer Fire Department, with chief Ralph Sheppard and fire district president Del Hyche. Hyche and Sheppard approached William H. Hoover about where to store their first fire truck, a 1944 Mack, purchased from the Birmingham Fire Department, and firefighting equipment. Hoover donated land behind his Employers Insurance Company building off Montgomery Highway in Green Valley, which eventually became part of Hoover Court. Hoover Fire Station No. 1 stands in that location today.

In 1968, Chief Sheppard hired the fire district's first full time firefighters in order to improve the area's insurance rating, which improved to Class 6. By 1972, the department consisted of six paid and 15 volunteer staff.

In 1976 the city took over the full time operation of the department and its employees and hired the first full-time Fire Chief Tom Bradley, who served until his retirement in 2009. He was replaced by Chuck Wingate, who served until his retirement in 2017. During Wingate's tenure, the department achieved a Class 1 insurance rating.

Fire stations

The Hoover Fire Department currently has ten fire stations. The department attempts to keep all homes in Hoover within five miles of a fire station.

Hoover Fire Station No. 1

Station No. 1 is located at 1953 Braddock Circle in Green Valley behind Hoover Court. This land in 1962 was behind the headquarters building for Employers Insurance Companies and was donated by owner William H. Hoover for the Hoover Volunteer Fire Department to store theie fire truck and equipment in a temporary structure. The fire district approved the construction of a permanent building in 1965, which consisted of two bays, a kitchen area and sleeping area. The original structure has been altered several times, although most of the original building is still in use. This building was used as the city hall and police station shortly after Hoover was incorporated in 1967.

Hoover Fire Station No. 2

Station No. 2 is located at 1591 Patton Chapel Road. The original Station No. 2 was a 2500-square-foot building built in 1976 on Chapel Lane at Patton Chapel Road. At the end of April 2007, firefighters moved to a new, 6000-square-foot station just 300 feet away from the original station. The old station was demolished so that Preserve Parkway could be extended to a new four-way intersection at Patton Chapel Road and Chapel Lane.

As of 2007, twelve firefighters, three per shift, were assigned to the station. This was the maximum capacity of the original station. The new station can house up to ten firefighters per shift.

Hoover Fire Station No. 3

Station No. 3 is located at 803 Riverchase Parkway West in Riverchase and was opened in December 1981 on the site of a vacant doctor's office, across from the former fire station for the Riverchase Fire District, which was annexed into Hoover in 1980. The volunteers from Riverchase, as well as eight other firefighters, were hired to man the station. An additional engine company was added to Station No. 3 in 1987 while Station No. 4 was being built, and was moved upon the new station's completion.

Hoover Fire Station No. 4

Station No. 4 is located at 800 Municipal Drive near the Hoover City Hall and was built in 1988 to house Engine Company 4, which had previously been housed at Fire Station No. 3.

Hoover Fire Station No. 5

Station No. 5 is located at 588 Park Avenue in Bluff Park. In December 1985 the Bluff Park Fire District was annexed into the city which added a fifth Engine Company and second rescue unit. The Bluff Park Fire District was well established and experienced in firefighting and emergency medical service. When Bluff Park Fire District was annexed, it was the oldest fire district in the State of Alabama. All District employees were brought into Hoover Fire Department carrying with them their full seniority. Most members were paramedics as well.

Hoover Fire Station No. 6

Station No. 6 is located at 310 Edna Road in Deer Valley.

Hoover Fire Station No. 7

Station No. 7 is located at 100 Inverness Parkway in Inverness. As part of Hoover's 1990 annexation agreement of the commercial area of Inverness, a temporary fire station was built off Inverness Parkway near Lake Heather by using an old trailer and a shed to house Engine Company 7 and Rescue 42. The permanent Station No. 7 was built in 1994 at the end of Inverness Parkway and Valleydale Road.

Hoover Fire Station No. 8

Station No. 8 is located at 121 Village Street in Lee Branch.

Hoover Fire Station No. 9

Station No. 9, located on Legacy Drive in Greystone, opened in August 2009. The station is equipped with a natural gas generator, a hose tower for drying hoses, and a cardio and weight room. It also houses an Advanced Life Support-equipped fire engine.

Hoover Fire Station No. 10

Station No. 10 is located at 3537 Market Street in Ross Bridge. Prior to 2014, a fire truck was stored near the location to service the area. The land for the station was donated to Hoover by Ross Bridge's developer, Daniel Ross Bridge LLC. The Hoover City Council allowed a temporary station to be constructed in 2014 and it included a 20-by-50-foot bay that houses an aerial ladder truck and a double-wide modular building that served as living quarters and an office for the firefighters. The modular building included three bedrooms, a bathroom and a common area that included a kitchen, living room and desk for a computer. The permanent station was completed in 2015.

External links

• Fire Department page at the City of Hoover web site

References

• "OK of 9th Hoover fire station will improve response time." (September 27, 2006) The Birmingham News
• Batson, Roger, Jr (May 2, 2007) "New fire station opens off Patton Chapel Road." The Birmingham News
• Batson, Roger, Jr. (May 9, 2007) "Fire department reputation glows with training, assets." The Birmingham News
• Jones, Amy (August 23, 2009) "Hoover celebrates new Fire Station No. 9." Shelby County Reporter. Accessed August 26, 2009.
• Staff (February 3, 2014" "Council moves ahead with Ross Bridge fire station plans." Hoover Sun
• Anderson, Jon (March 11, 2014) "Hoover opens temporary Fire Station No. 10 in Ross Bridge"> The Birmingham News
• Anderson, Jon (May 16, 2017) "Hoover Fire Department earns Class 1 insurance rating." Hoover Sun
• Anderson, Jon (August 7, 2017) "Hoover fire Chief Chuck Wingate to retire Aug. 31." Hoover Sun