At the February 15, 2007 Chamber Luncheon, the Chamber of Commerce recognized and awarded the Hoover Police Officer of the Year, Hoover Firefighter of the Year, Telecommunicator of the Year and Jailor of the Year for the calendar year 2006. The Hoover Chamber recognized these most outstanding community servants for their on-the-job performance.

Front Row: Left to Rt.- Firefighter of the Year, Firemedic Glenn Albarado, Captain Skip Kittrell, Batt. Chief Benny Allison, Batt. Chief Rob Trautwein, (Finalist) Firemedic George Duncan, Mayor Tony Petelos, Batt. Chief Frank Brocato Back Row: Left to Rt. Captain David Null, Capt. Clay Bentley, Fire Marshal Sam Honea, (Finalist) Firefighter Ricky Linn, Fire Chief Tom Bradley, Batt. Chief Barry Thrash

Safety First
Hoover's fire and emergency services

The Hoover Fire Department (HFD) is one of the most up-to-date, well-trained departments of its size in the Southeast. Headed for 30 years by Chief Tom Bradley, the department has approximately 150 employees, including a fulltime training officer, an EMS officer, a fire marshal and three fire prevention officers.

Of those employees, 107 have emergency medical training - 97 with paramedic certification and 18 with emergency medical technician certification.
All Hoover paramedics have completed Advanced Cardiac Life Support training, a program that focuses on the recognition and rapid response to cardiac problems. The department's eight engine companies and four rescue units are all equipped with defibrillators. Free blood pressure checks are available 24 hours a day.

The HFD maintains a Class 2 ISO rating, which results in lower insurance rates for the city's residents and businesses. All the stations in the department are designated SAFEPLACE shelters, a nationwide program that encourages children and youth to seek assistance at neighborhood fire stations. Counseling services are also available 24 hours a day.

The department operates a Hazardous Material Response Unit that responds to spills of dangerous substances and other environmental emergencies. To address the possibility of terrorist activity, HFD personnel are trained to appropriately respond to intelligence reports of threats to public safety and are capable of dealing with biological terrorism via substance testing and decontamination training.

With specialized high angle, swift water and confined space teams, the HFD is able to assist in circumstances that call for complicated rescue efforts. The department also has one of only eight recognized heavy rescue teams in the State of Alabama. Since early 2005, Station 4 has been home to a heavy-duty rescue truck. This vehicle was purchased through a grant made possible by the Alabama Mutual Aid Agreement, the Department of Homeland Security, the Alabama EMA and the Shelby County EMA.

The recent addition of a quint apparatus to Station 6 will greatly enhance the fire and emergency medical protection in the area that station serves. This piece of equipment functions as both an engine and a ladder truck and fulfills five firefighting roles: pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device and ground ladders. Two personnel are assigned to the unit at all times.

The HFD's Fire Prevention Bureau provides inspections, investigations and public education for all ages. The bureau is composed of five members of the department who are charged with the enforcement of the 2000 International Fire Code.