news

Burn Trailer Training

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:30:19 +0100

See more pictures of this training here

During the week of Febr uary 15th a new training device was on hand at Center Point Fire. The device known as the Burn Trailer, is a fire simulator. The trailer is the size of a commercial 18 wheeler but the similarities stop there. Inside are several propane burners, movable walls, and stairs to a second level. The training vehicle allows firefighters to train in a realistic but safe environment. The systems on board are computer controlled, there are thermocouples around the room and emergency stops near each door. All training is conducted with certified instructors inside. At any time if there is a problem the safety systems on board as well as the instructors can shut the burners off and rapidly cool the interior making it realistic but safe.

All of our firefighters went through the training which focused on rescue, self-rescue, and fire behavior. They were also exposed to different types of hose streams. The training allowed our people to better learn search techniques while focusing on the search crews integrity and safety.

The Burn Trailer is the property of the Alabama Fire College and is currently making rounds within the state to different fire departments.

Spring Villa Apartment Fire 1/28/2010

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:03:38 +0100

More photos of this incident available in our gallery here

Investigators are looking into the cause of an early morning fire at Chalkville Crossings.

Firefighters were called out to the fire at 07:58 Thursday morning. When they arrived, flames were showing.

Investigators believe the fire started in an apartment but got into the attic where it quickly spread.

Two units were burned, four had water damage, and a few more were damaged by smoke

"Those type fires are really hard to stop. I'm really proud of our guys. They got in and did an excellent job. This is one of the better stops I've seen," said Chief Howard Summerford, Center Point Fire Department.

Summerford says the building was up to code but did not have firewalls.

Most of the units were occupied when the fire started but no one was hurt.

Red Cross is helping the displaced families find some where to stay.

Center Point Volunteer Reconized

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:54:02 +0100

Center Point Fire District Volunteer Ed Moyer was recently recognized by Wells Fargo Advisors as a Second Half Champion. here is a description of the program.

Recognizing the extraordinary achievements of individuals age 50+

Our Second-Half Champions^SM award winners look at the second half of life in ways individuals don’t traditionally associate with our pre-retirement and retirement years. While many of us hit 50 and prepare to slow down and relax, our Second-Half Champions award winners have chosen to begin anew in ambitious endeavors and accomplish awe-inspiring feats.

We are proud of Ed and Carol and the recognition they have brought to the Center Point Firer District.

To read about Second Half Champions click here, https://www.wellsfargoadvisors.com/2hc/second-half-champions.htm
To see Ed's video click here, https://www.wellsfargoadvisors.com/2hc/2hcStories_al.htm?picture=ed

Child Safety Seat Installation

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:38:30 +0100

The Center Point Fire District has implemented a new program to install child safety car seats. The program will allow you to make an appointment at one of our stations to have your child safety seat properly fitted to your car. This program is done as a service to our citizens at no additional cost.

In 1999, 1,724 child occupants age 14 and under died in motor vehicle crashes. About 61% of motor vehicle occupants ages 15 and under who were killed in fatal crashes were unrestrained. Approximately 272,000 children were injured as occupants in motor vehicle-related crashes. Approximately 29% of children ages four and under ride unrestrained, placing them at twice the risk of death and injury as those riding restrained.

Child safety seats, when correctly installed and used, reduce the risk of death by up to 71%. However, recent studies show that more than 85% of all child safety seats are installed improperly.

In the past, parents would have to travel downtown to get the car seats checked and fitted properly. As a service to our citizens, we are now providing this service to our citizens. We now have several employees trained to a technician level in child seat installation. If you would like to make an appointment to have your seat properly installed please call us at (205)853-8295

Center Point Fire Honor Guard

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:48:56 +0100

The Center Point Fire District's Honor Guard was chosen this year to present the colors for the Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the IChiefs Conference in Atlanta Friday August 24th. This was quite an honor for the Fire District. IChief's and Fire Rescue International is the conference for the International Association of Fire Chief's, the conference was held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta Georgia August 23rd through the 25th.

Center Point Fire District Chief Howard T. Summerford Jr. and Assistant Chief Donnie West were in attendance. Chief Summerford wrote,

I would like to congratulate the members of our honor guard for their outstanding performance at the International Association of Fire Chiefs conference this morning. They were chosen by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation to serve as the honor guard for this year’s fallen firefighter memorial. Words cannot describe the pride we experienced as they marched out in front of thousands of the most prominent and respected leaders of the fire service from around the world. This was most certainly one of the proudest moment in the history of the Center Point Fire District.

CPFD Smoke Detector Program

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:11:02 +0100

December 2008 The Center Point Fire District/Fire Prevention Bureau is offering Free Smoke Alarms to the residents of our fire district. We proudly stand by our Mission Statement and are dedicated to providing the best professional level of fire protection, emergency medical services and public safety education to the citizens of the Center Point Fire District by preventing and minimizing the loss of life and property.

The most important thing to know is Smoke Alarms Save Lives and they should be in every home. This is why we would like to offer our residents the appropriate amount of smoke alarms, at no charge, to be installed so that you may increase the chance of safely escaping your home in the event of a fire. By taking advantage of this program not only are you protecting the people in your community, but you are also helping to decrease injuries and fatalities due to fire related incidents.

The type of detectors we are offering are First Alert Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm combination with a voice alarm which gives an audible warning of danger and the alarms location. Included with each detector will be mounting brackets, user manual and 2 AA batteries. We would also like to take a few extra steps and actually install these detectors for the residents in our community at No Charge and help educate them on some basic fire safety tips. This is just our way of saying thank you for making our district and community safer.

Again, please note that this is a Free Program to the residents within our fire district. If you live outside the coverage of our district please contact your local fire department. Please come by the Business Office or any Center Point Fire District station to fill out an application or you can fill out the form online here . After the application has been received you will be contacted with a date and time to have your alarm installed by our trained personnel.