Welcome to our website!
We are in the process of making our website better and adding more to it. We appreciate your interest in our department an we will be updating our page with historical and current information to provide you more about our department.
|
|
Located at the heart of Sylvania, on Alabama Highway 75, Sylvania Fire Department was organized in 1980 and state certified in 1984. Chief Bobby Abbott took the helm of the department in December 1996 where he and his officers set a goal to lower their ISO rating from the 8/9 scoring that it held. Almost 3 years of purchasing equipment, gathing information and data, finally paid off as the department was surveyed in September 1999. The results of the ISO survey were returned in April 2000 with the department lowering its rating to a 6/9 score. In January of 2000 the department ordered it's first new truck since 1980, a 2000 International E-ONE pumper.
As the pride and confidence of the department seemed to be at its height, July 20, 2000, they were dispatched to a structure fire. As members responded it became obvious the structure fire was the Sylvania Fire Hall. Not only was every piece of equipment destroyed, the very first bought E-ONE pumper along with the other trucks and vechicles, but, better than 20 years of volunteer labor, donations of the community and countless man-hours of effort went up in smoke.
Today, almost 10 years later, the fire hall has been rebuilt and is in use. Also the department has expanded and built another station closer to our local high school to better protect our community. Donations of money and equipment from all over this great state of Alabama helped to get the department back to where we are now. The department offers 3 Class A Engines, 2 Water Shuttle Tankers, and a Service Truck.
Bobby Abbott remained chief until 2007. In September of that year, long time Assistant Chief Daryl Lester took over as Chief, where he remains today. For the past 2 years the department has focused on training and currently has 7 certified volunteer firefighters. Another focus of the department has been its ISO Rating. In 2004 our rating dropped from an 8/9 to a flat 7 rating. In 2007, we again called for an ISO grading and was able to lower it again to a flat 5 rating, and we are working everyday to get it even better.
|
|
|
Chad Furgerson, Assistant Chief
In November of 2002, Sylvania was graciously awarded the presence of 18 year old Furgerson as the newest member. He was inspired by all the hard work from brother firefighters during the 9-11 attacks and decided it was time for him to do his part in serving his nation and community. He served two terms as Sergeant, one term as Lieutenant, and later served as short term Acting Chief. His hard work in offering his skill and talents to uphold his duty to the town of Sylvania and the other memebers and was awarded the now title of Assistant Chief. He is trained in I.C.S., classes 200-800, and Propane Emergency. He would like to see Sylvania Fire Department become a 24 hour (paid) Department in the next 5 to 10 years.
|
|
Within our department we offer, Knowledge, Great Talents, Good People and Respectable Firefighers.
We honor our rights to Protect and Serve.
|
|
