SENATOR GERALD ALLEN: ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE TRAINS OUR STATE'S BEST

November 14, 2024 - First responders are heroes. They stand ready to answer the call in the face of danger to serve and protect our communities. Often, they are the first to arrive to the scene of an emergency, an accident, or other disaster. When we are facing our worst, they are always their best, and they serve an important role as the backbone of emergency services. In Alabama, I have no doubt that we have the best first responders in America.

A big reason why first responders in Alabama are the best in the country is because of the Alabama Fire College (AFC) located in Tuscaloosa. The Alabama Fire College has served our state since 1936, and over the course of their history, they have always adapted to meet the needs of our communities. In addition to offering fire fighter training, the AFC has also developed several other programs to include EMS training, hazardous materials training, rescue technician training, and other services. Across the state, they have twenty-three training centers, have educated over twenty-five thousand students, and offer sixty-seven certification levels. However, even with all of those wonderful statistics, we face an unfortunate reality: a huge number of veteran first responders will retire in the coming years, and we currently do not have the capacity to fill their vacant positions with well-trained replacements.

It is imperative that the students that are attending the fire college and want to be emergency technicians or paramedics have a facility that is dedicated to fit their needs and can keep up with evolving technology and techniques. Technology and emergency response techniques continue to change, and students coming through the Alabama Fire College need to be able to participate in programs that enable them to respond efficiently and effectively in the face of an emergency.

As a Member of the Alabama State Senate, I will continue to use my voice and fight for Alabama's first responders.