news

Center Point Fire District Hosts EMS Jane

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:30:33 +0100

This month Center Point Fire District was honored to be the host department for EMS Jane Emergency Medical Services Continuing Education Program. EMS Jane is part of Kaplan University which provides Webb Based Emergency Medical Education for Fire Departments. As the Host Department, EMS Jane’s video production crew utilized our personnel and equipment to conduct a training video on Electrical Injuries. The video will be used Nationwide to provide EMS Education to Fire Departments across the country. The video production allowed us to Showcase Center Point Fire District and the services that we provide.

CPFD Cares Enough to Wear Pink

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:42:16 +0100

Center Point Fire District has teamed up with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. For the month of October, fire personnel of Center Point Fire District will wear a specially designed pink fire department T-shirt while on duty.

Fire Chief Donnie West stated that the Center Point Fire District has always participated in fundraising for different charities, and this is just another way for us to show our support for breast cancer awareness. But the best part about this particular public awareness program is that everybody can play a huge part in the effort of breast cancer prevention and research.

For anyone who would like to participate and show their support, the Center Point Fire District is offering Pink Fire Department T-shirts available for a $15.00 donation to Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. All donations raised will go directly to the BCRFA.

In December 1995, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center introduced two people who had a shared experience with breast cancer. Dolly O'Neal, an 18-month breast cancer survivor, was one of those people. The other was Bruce Sokol, whose wife D. D. was undergoing breast cancer treatment at the time. Both shared an energy and desire to do something to fight this disease.

Since 1996, the BCRFA has raised and invested nearly $3 million dollars of seed money to pave the way for the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center to receive sought-after and sustaining grant dollars. It is estimated that for every dollar donated by the BCRFA, $16.00 is received in grant money, which is a great return on investment. All funds donated by the BCRFA, stay right here in Alabama.

If you are interested in purchasing a Center Point Fire District “Breast Cancer Awareness” Pink T-Shirt, please call or come by the Fire District Business Office located at 2229 Center Point Parkway. Phone (205) 853-5098

2011 Rickey Davis Charitable Golf Tournament

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:18:34 +0100

2011 Firefighter Combat Challenge

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:48:02 +0100

The Center Point Fire District Firefighter Combat Challenge Team competed in the 2011 Combat Challenge in Montgomery on June 17th and 18th.

Members of the team were,

Captain Lonnie West
Firefighter/Medic Adrian Millican
Firefighter/Medic Mat Bradley
Firefighter/Medic Michael Lombard
Firefighter/Medic Troy Gipson
Firefighter/Medic C. J. Elliott
Firefighter/Medic Brandon Dahlen

The entire team competed in the Combat Challenge Relay and completed the entire course with a time of 1:32.37. This qualified them for the Championship Finals in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In addition, Lonnie, Adrian, Mat and Michael competed in the Open (Individual) Event. This event required each participate to complete the entire course on air. Adrian had the top time at 3:06 minutes followed closely by Lonnie and the others. Lonnie and Adrian also competed in the Tandem Event and had a time of 2:07 which was one of the lowest times.

The hard work by these individuals paid off. They were a great representative of Center Point Fire District and made me proud to be part of the organization.

We appreciate Chief West’s presence at the event and his support along with promoting Physical Fitness within the Department. We also thank the family members for their support along with Lt. Dwight Wren and Emily for taking photos.

Dusty Underwood

Phillip W. Underwood

Battalion Chief

EMS/Training

underwood@centerpointfire.com

W: 205-853-5042

C: 205-965-6167

Fire Inspector Matt Angelo Promoted

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:31:50 +0100

On May 9th, 2011 at the open house for newly renovated Station 2 Fire Inspector Matt Angelo was honored for completing State of Alabama APOST training and after that recognition Chief Donnie West promoted Angelo to the position of Fire Marshal. The promotion effectively changes Angelo's rank to that of an Administrative Captain. He will serve as the Fire District's Fire Marshal as well as the three cities that the district services, Center Point, Clay, and Pinson.

Fire Chief Donnie West congratulates Matt Angelo for completing APOST and on his promotion to Fire Marshal.

APOST (Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission) training occurs every other weekend for 14 months and after graduating on May 9th Matt is a certified State peace officer and certified reserve Sheriff.

While in the field conducting fire investigations and fire code compliance activity, he works very close with the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office, including the Evidence Collection Unit Detectives, Detectives and Patrol Units. Together as a team, it is their overall mission “to keep neighborhoods and communities safe”. We are very proud of Matt in these accomplishments.

City of Pinson donates money

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:44:03 +0100

Mayor Hoyt Sanders on behalf of the City of Pinson gives check to Chief Donnie West of the Center Point Fire District. The check for $12,000 will go towards the purchase of a LifePak heart monitor/defibrillator to replace an older unit at Station 2.

Firefighter Combat Challenge Team

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:32:44 +0100

Center Point Fire District firefighters are scheduled to compete in the SCOTT Firefighter Combat Challenge which is being held in Montgomery, Alabama this June 17^th and 18^th. This event is a nationwide competition that tests the physical fitness and stamina of thousands of firefighters every year. Team members include Lonnie West, Adrian Millican, Christian Elliott, Troy Gibson, Matt Bradley, Michael Lombard and Brandon Dahlen, all members of the Center Point Fire District. The team has been practicing vigorously for months to compete in this event that ESPN refers to as ‘The Toughest Two Minutes in Sports’.

The team is divided up into 2 competitive groups, a two member tandem team and five member relay team.

As they race against themselves, their opponents and the clock, each firefighter—wearing 50 pounds of gear, including a SCOTT breathing apparatus (air pack)—starts with an additional 42-pound house pack (sometimes called an "high-rise pack," a set of pre-connected hoses used to fight fires in multistory hotels and apartments) on his shoulder and has to run up steps to the top of a five-story tower. Once at the top of the stairs, each firefighter will reach over a railing and use a rope to haul up another hose pack, this one weighing 42 pounds. Next, each firefighter will run back down the stairs—touching each one—and pick up a 9 pound sledgehammer to use on what's called a "kaiser machine," a metal track with a 160-pound block on it. The firefighters have to use the sledgehammer to drive the block at least five feet. Firefighters then run through a 140 feet slalom course and grab a fully charged hose, drag it 75 feet and shoot the spray at a small target. Finally, firefighters must drag a 175-pound mannequin 100 feet.

Since 1991, Firefighter Combat Challenge events have been held for hundreds of U.S. and Canadian firefighters who compete at several locations throughout the year in fitness events and demonstrate the profession’s rigors to the public. Today, the Firefighter Combat Challenge is one of many standardized tests used by most fire departments to screen applicants. But some fire departments are also using it to make sure that their firefighters remain physically fit for the job.

Center Point Fire District Takes Delivery of 2 New Fire Engines

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:53:45 +0100

Center Point Fire District took delivery of two new 2011 Pierce Velocity pumpers in April 2011. These new engines replaced older engines and are a welcome addition to our fleet.

The engines, Engine 1 and Engine 2 are now in service at our Station in Pinson and the Station in Center Point. They were manufactured by Pierce MFG in Appleton Wisconsin. They have 515 HP Detroit series 60 engines, Allison transmissions, and Waterous 1500 gpm single stage pumps.

These engines will help us in our commitment to the citizens of the Fire District which is,

"Providing Excellence Through Dedication and Pride"

Center Point Fire District Paramedic Bike Team

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:06:22 +0100

Center Point Fire District (CPFD) debuted its Paramedic Bike Team (PBT) at an Erwin High School parade which honored the state championship-winning girl’s basketball team.

The PBT will be used for special events in the fire district such as large gatherings, parades, festivals, etc.

CPFD received a community service grant to purchase two specially-equipped mountain bicycles with defibrillators, oxygen, and other critical life-saving equipment. The bikes have emergency lighting and sirens.

During an emergency, a few minutes could mean the difference between life and death. If streets are blocked with obstacles or crowds, fire responders cannot reach the patient quickly. The golf carts used in the past were useful, but difficult to maneuver. The PBT can maneuver easily to reduce response times by as much as 5 minutes.

CPFD medics George Duncan and Gus Murphree started the PBT a few years ago, using their personal bikes and equipment. Because the concept worked so well, the fire district pursued a grant to make the Paramedic Bike Team an official part of the organization.

The team can treat trauma and medical emergencies such as falls, cuts, broken bones, heart attacks, respiratory emergencies, allergic reactions, heat disorders and other medical problems.

During the parade today, one of the band members had a medical problem that required the attention of the bike team. It was their first official call.

Dusty Underwood

Battalion Chief of EMS/Training

1st Annual MDA "Fill the Boot" Golf Tournament huge success!

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:37:43 +0100

On July 26th 2010 the Center Point Fire District sponsored the first annual Muscular Dystrophy Association "Fill the Boot" golf tournament at Grayson Valley Country Club. The tournament was held in memory of Firefighter Rickey Davis.

Our First ever golf tournament was a huge success. Over the last few years our "Fill the Boot" efforts have been steadily decreasing even though our efforts have increased. This year the decision was made to attempt to host a golf tournament. Our best year ever as a department was about $7000.00 dollars. This years golf tournament raised just over $12,000.00 for Jerry's Kids. We were extremely pleased with the interest in this years tournament and look forward to growing it even bigger in the coming years.

We had several large sponsors including

Chick-fil-A Trussville
http://www.chick-fil-a.com/localsite.aspx?id=01143

Buffalo Wild Wings Trussville
http://www.buffalowildwings.com

JIM 'N NICK'S Bar-B-Q Trussville http://www.jimnnicks.com/location_trussville

And Courtesy Buick-GMC
http://www.courtesybirmingham.com/

We would like to thank each of these major sponsors as well as the dozens of others who sponsored holes and who worked so hard to make this tournament a success.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

MDA was created in 1950 by a group of adults with muscular dystrophy, parents of children with muscular dystrophy and a physician-scientist studying the disorder. Since its earliest days, it has been energized by its number-one volunteer and national chairman, entertainer Jerry Lewis.