BPD Homicide on 2/5 First 48

Birmingham Police Department

First 48 to Air Episode Highlighting the B.P.D. Homicide Unit

The First 48 TV show will air its first of several episodes which highlights the Birmingham Police Department’s Homicide Unit. The episode entitled, “Rattlesnake”, will air on Thursday, February 5th at 8:00 p.m. on A&E TV.

Chief A.C. Roper stated, “This is an excellent opportunity to highlight our hard working personnel and demonstrate the critical role community involvement plays in solving these horrendous crimes.”

Hoover Names New Chief

Hoover Fire & Rescue

Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos has named Hoover Fire Department veteran and Battalion Chief Chuck Wingate as Hoover's new Fire Chief after the retirement of long serving Chief Tom Bradley.

Congratulations to Chief Wingate on his new appointment! Hoover is lucky to have such an accomplished person leading their fire department.

From the Birmingham News:

A battalion chief with 32 years of service is Hoover's new fire chief. Mayor Tony Petelos tonight named longtime veteran Chuck Wingate to lead the department. Wingate replaces the much beloved Tom Bradley, who retired Saturday following a firefighting career that spanned 60 years.

Wingate, 54, has been a firefighter since he was 16, getting his start at the Bluff Park Fire District, which was later annexed by the city of Hoover. Wingate rose through the ranks of the Hoover department after he came on board in 1975. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1978, captain/fire marshal in 1980 and battalion chief in 1988.

"It's truly an honor, especially coming after one of my mentors, which was Tom Bradley," Wingate said of being named chief.

Wingate leads a department with 171 firefighters and nine fire stations.

Applications Available for Fire Prevention and Safety Grants

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL)

Applications Available for Fire Prevention and Safety Grants

WASHINGTON, DC Monday, February 2, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala) today announced that the application period for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program will open today, Monday, February 2, 2009, and will close on Friday, March 6, 2009. Those wishing to apply for FP&S grants can find application materials by visiting the website at www.firegrantsupport.com.

"Communities throughout the United States have used FP&S grants to fund successful fire prevention activities," said Shelby. "These grants are important to ensuring the safety of both firefighters and the general public in the event of a fire emergency. I urge eligible communities in Alabama to complete the application process before the deadline of Friday, March 6, 2009."

The FP&S Grant Program is a component of the Department's Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program, whose purpose is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. FP&S grants provide support for funding efforts to mitigate incidences of deaths and injuries caused by fire and fire-related hazards especially in high-risk target groups such as children, adults over 65, and firefighters. In addition, FP&S supports Firefighter Safety Research and Development activities.

Turn Back The Clock pt. 39

Gardendale Fire & Police Departments

Chris Brewis sent these pictures from his father Bob Brewis.

Thank you, Chris, for sharing the great pictures!


In the late 1960's, the Grubb Steak House fire occurred in North Gardendale where the antique mall is today...




Gardendale Fire Department : 1965...




Gardendale Fire Department : 1965...




Gardendale Police Department : Late 1960's...