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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 eight 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 [[Tom Bradley]].
[[Image:HooverFD.png|right]]
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 eleven 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]] and department headquarters are located at 2020 [[Valleydale Road]] at the [[Hoover Public Safety Center]].


== History ==
== History ==
Hoover's Fire Department began in [[1962]], almost five years before the city's incorporation, as the [[Hoover Volunteer Fire Department]]. By [[1972]], the department consisted of six paid and 15 volunteer staff.
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 (Hoover)|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. By [[1978]] the insurance rating had improved to a Class 5, by [[1981]] improved to Class 4, by [[1983]] improved to Class 3, and by [[1989]] improved to Class 2. The department was resurveyed in [[1999]] and remained Class 2.
 
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 battalion chief [[Chuck Wingate]], who began his firefighting career at age 17 for the [[Bluff Park Volunteer Fire Department]], which transfered to Hoover Fire upon the area's annexation in [[1985]]. During Wingate's tenure as chief, the department achieved a Class 1 insurance rating in May [[2017]], and Wingate retired that August.


== Fire stations ==
== Fire stations ==
The Hoover Fire Department currently has nine fire stations.  The department attempts to keep all homes in Hoover within five miles of a fire station.
As of 2021, Hoover Fire Department has eleven fire stations.  The department attempts to keep all homes in Hoover within five miles of a fire station.
 
* [[Hoover Fire Station No. 1]]: 1953 [[Braddock Circle]] in [[Green Valley]] behind [[Hoover Court Shopping Center]] (1965)
 
* [[Hoover Fire Station No. 2]]: 1591 [[Patton Chapel Road]] (original 1976, rebuilt 2007)


=== Hoover Fire Station No. 2 ===
* [[Hoover Fire Station No. 3]]: 803 [[Riverchase Parkway West]] in [[Riverchase]] (1981)
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 at 1591 Patton Chapel Road, just 300 feet away from the original station.  The old station will be torn down so that [[Preserve Parkway]] can be extended to a new four-way intersection at Patton Chapel Road and Chapel Lane.


As of 2007, twelve firefighters, three per shift, are 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. 4]]: 800 [[Municipal Drive]] near the [[Hoover City Hall]] (1988)


=== Hoover Fire Station No. 9 ===
* [[Hoover Fire Station No. 5]]: 588 [[Park Avenue (Bluff Park)|Park Avenue]] in [[Bluff Park]]
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. 6]]: 310 [[Edna Road]] in [[Deer Valley]] (1988)
 
* [[Hoover Fire Station No. 7]] :100 [[Inverness Parkway]] in [[Inverness]] (1994)
 
* [[Hoover Fire Station No. 8]]: 121 [[Village Street]] in [[Lee Branch]]
 
* [[Hoover Fire Station No. 9]], 1150 [[Legacy Drive]] in [[Greystone]] (2009)
 
* [[Hoover Fire Station No. 10]]: 3537 [[Market Street]] in [[Ross Bridge]] (2015)
 
* [[Hoover Fire Station No. 11]]: [[Trace Crossings]] (2021)


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 19: Line 38:


== References ==
== References ==
* "OK of 9th Hoover fire station will improve response time."  (September 27, 2006)  ''Birmingham News''.
* "OK of 9th Hoover fire station will improve response time."  (September 27, 2006)  {{BN}}
* Batson, Roger, Jr (May 2, 2007) "New fire station opens off Patton Chapel Road."  ''Birmingham News''.
* Batson, Roger, Jr (May 2, 2007) "New fire station opens off Patton Chapel Road."  {{BN}}
* Batson, Roger, Jr (May 9, 2007) "Fire department reputation glows with training, assets."  ''Birmingham News''.
* Batson, Roger, Jr. (May 9, 2007) "Fire department reputation glows with training, assets."  {{BN}}
 
* Jones, Amy  (August 23, 2009) "[http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/news/2009/aug/23/hoover-celebrates-new-fire-station-no-9/ Hoover celebrates new Fire Station No. 9]."  ''Shelby County Reporter''.  Accessed August 26, 2009.
{{stub}}
* 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".  {{BN}}
* 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''
* Anderson, Jon (December 9, 2019) "Hoover breaks ground for 11th fire station in Trace Crossings." ''Hoover Sun''


[[Category:Hoover|Fire Department]]
[[Category:Hoover Fire Department|*]]
[[Category:Fire and rescue]]

Latest revision as of 16:28, 6 November 2023

HooverFD.png

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 eleven 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 and department headquarters are located at 2020 Valleydale Road at the Hoover Public Safety Center.

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. By 1978 the insurance rating had improved to a Class 5, by 1981 improved to Class 4, by 1983 improved to Class 3, and by 1989 improved to Class 2. The department was resurveyed in 1999 and remained Class 2.

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 battalion chief Chuck Wingate, who began his firefighting career at age 17 for the Bluff Park Volunteer Fire Department, which transfered to Hoover Fire upon the area's annexation in 1985. During Wingate's tenure as chief, the department achieved a Class 1 insurance rating in May 2017, and Wingate retired that August.

Fire stations

As of 2021, Hoover Fire Department has eleven fire stations. The department attempts to keep all homes in Hoover within five miles of a fire station.

External links

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
  • Anderson, Jon (December 9, 2019) "Hoover breaks ground for 11th fire station in Trace Crossings." Hoover Sun
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