Some Mobile and Baldwin Firefighters Need Better Facilities Now
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
August 4, 2025
BALDWIN COUNTY, AL. Some recent comments by firefighters and citizens in both Baldwin and Mobile Counties are shedding some light on the conditions of firehouses and the lack of proper sleeping quarters for firefighters who are working 24-hour shifts.
Recently, in Spanish Fort, the city went from an all-volunteer fire department to a mainly all-paid department (career department) with some volunteers.
In doing that, the city also increased the ISO rating (a rating assigned by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) to communities based on their fire protection capabilities. This rating, which ranges from 1 to 10 (with 1 being the best), helps insurance companies assess the risk associated with insuring properties within a particular area and determines appropriate insurance premiums.)
As part of that process, all areas of the city had to be protected by a full-time fire staff, so the city decided to add a couple of paid firefighters to Fire Station 4 located at 9871 D’Olive Road.
But, it was done quickly and without adding a proper bunkhouse or kitchen, or other necessities for the firefighters.
Rumors that firefighters were sleeping on the floor soon came to the surface, although Mayor Michael McMillian denied knowing that was happening.
Firefighters at Station 4 have since moved into a shed that has some chairs and mattresses, but that arrangement is a far cry from what firefighters who work twenty-hour shifts deserve.
The mayor said that at some point, a “bunkhouse” will be added to the property.
A fire station becomes the firefighter’s home while on shift, and should be comfortable, clean, and have proper sleeping quarters, showers, restrooms, and a kitchen so that firefighters can properly bathe, sleep, and feed themselves.
While most fire departments in Baldwin County remain manned by volunteers, growing cities such as Spanish Fort, Daphne, Foley, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores have had to move to the paid/career firefighter model to ensure continuity in their fire services.
Mobile County is also mainly staffed by volunteers. The Theodore-Dawes Fire District switched to a combination fire department a few years ago, adding some paid firefighters to their roster.
The City of Mobile is a career fire department with firefighters manning 18 fire stations, according to the City of Mobile. These stations are staffed 24/7, every day of the year. The MFRD also has 19 engine companies, 6 ladder trucks, and 11 advanced life support ambulances, among other specialized units.
As Mobile grows and the number of fire calls increase, the city has also had to consider the addition of more fire stations and remodeling older station houses.
A new three-bay fire station will be built on Azalea Road south of Highway 90 to replace the 68-year-old, two-bay station down the street, if the Mobile City Council approves a $4.5 million construction contract next week. Mobile Fire-Rescue Interim Chief Barry Glisson says they plan to move a ladder truck to the new station.
“As well as a District Chief to that location, and our hazmat units. So, we’ll have more equipment there at that station, but it will be better served throughout the community, and give faster response times,” said Glisson.
During the construction phase, firefighters will remain at their current facility. Construction should take about a year or so, Gibson said.
The 77-year-old Toulminville Station on Dr. Martin Luther King Avenue has had to be repaired numerous times since it was opened, but firefighters are still stationed there, however, the city is looking to purchase land nearby and build a new station.
Other stations also need replacing, including 65-year-old Petrey Station on Dauphin Island Parkway, the 55-year-old Sirmon Station on Airport Boulevard, and the 63-year-old Tapia Station also on Airport Boulevard.
While the exact timing of these replacements are unknown, a city spokesperson stated that they hope to begin the process between now and 2027.
Other fire stations are also listed for substantial repairs, including heating and air conditioner replacement, roof replacements, foam installation, and other updates.
Mobile’s oldest station, the 100-year-old Central Station, is also on the list for a major overhaul.
Throughout both counties, volunteer fire stations, which were primarily where fire apparatus were housed and firefighters would go for training and meetings, while firefighters responded to the station from their home or work during an emergency call, are now becoming places where the firefighters staff during high call volume days such as the weekends, during severe storms or when there are events in town.
Baldwin County firefighters in some areas regularly respond to 3-10 emergency calls per day, and some departments answer more than 1000 emergency calls per year, so it’s easier to stay at the fire station waiting for their next calls.
Some of the men and women sometimes catch a little shuteye on lounge chairs, couches, or wherever they can.
Summerdale, a volunteer fire department, has also recently had to transition to a combination department, adding a few paid firefighters to answer calls primarily during the daytime while most other firefighters are at work.
They also recently opened a new firehouse located at 1340 County Road 32 East with all of the amenities that firefighters need, including a fully stocked kitchen, a bunkroom, showers, and training facilities.
Fire Departments, career or volunteer, need to adequately equip their firefighters with the best firefighting tools, turnout gear, fire trucks, and of course, proper sleeping quarters, kitchen, and training facilities so that they are better prepared and properly geared to protect our communities.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
