Sponsored

The Irondale Fire Department is hard at work to keep you safe and fire-smart. — L: Captain Brasher + R: Fire Chief McDaniel work to protect + educate citizens in Irondale. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

You probably remember the grade-school mantra of “stop, drop and roll,” but that’s only a small aspect of fire safety.

Thanks to modern technology, the latest equipment and new ways of looking at education and training, it’s easier than ever to keep people of all ages protected and aware.

And, it turns out, one Birmingham metro town is leading the way in fire safety: The City of Irondale.

We recently visited with the Irondale Fire Department to learn how to be prepared for Fire Safety Month—and beyond.

What is Fire Safety Month + why it’s important

fire safety training equipment — False alarm: Irondale’s specialized fire training trailer is one of a kind in the state of Alabama. It simulates real-life scenarios. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Fire Safety Month rolls around every October as a good reminder to ensure we’re all doing our part to keep ourselves, our families and our homes and workplaces as safe as they can be.

Fun fact: Fire Safety Month began as a way to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 in hopes of preventing large-scale tragedies for future generations.

Today, this care comes in the form of devoted people working hard at fire departments around the country, and that goes double for the City of Irondale. They’re among the leaders in the state for the latest training, equipment and education to keep citizens protected.

Fire safety begins with education

A laser-assisted fire extinguisher helps train proper aiming in case of fire. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Irondale’s Fire Prevention and Life Safety Trailer is a unique mobile “classroom” that allows the department to show citizens how best to react in all types of scenarios, from the kitchen to the bedroom. Fire personnel take people through potentially dangerous situations like:

Stove + oven fires
Microwave shorts
Trashcan flare-ups
Storing hazardous chemicals in close proximity
Escaping a bedroom when there’s a fire

As part of the training, they also walk school kids through storm and flood safety, such as the difference between watches and warnings, what sirens mean and what to do when you hear them. The trailer shakes and mimics the sounds of storms so the kids grow more familiar and confident they’ll know what to do if placed in a real-life situation.

There’s also training for industrial business owners to address scenarios like electrical panel malfunctions, shop fires and more—another unique training module from the Irondale department.

“Anybody can benefit from this type of training, whether they’re 4-years-old or 90-years-old. And with the industrial training unit, we can cover nearly everyone in the community.”

_{Irondale Fire Captain} _{David Brasher}

Other ways to up your health + fire safety game in Irondale

How firefighters help train for rescue scenarios — It may look like a workout class, but this is one way firefighters train to keep you safe! (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

In addition to the mobile training trailer, citizens can take advantage of offerings like:

Citizen CPR classes (they’ll be back next year; keep an eye on this site for upcoming dates + info)
An annual Citizens Fire Training Academy, which is a 10-week deeper dive into the department’s fire, rescue + medical operations
A city-owned ambulance transport service
Free weather preparedness kits, smoke detectors + Knox Boxes (allows for damage-proof entry for emergency personnel)
An in-the-works Fire Station #3, opening next year with expanded room for growth + helpful amenities for personnel

“To meet the needs of our growing community, Irondale is strengthening our public safety infrastructure with a brand-new Fire Station #3.

Over the past few years, we have also added an in-house ambulance transport service and modernized our fleet to include only vehicles no older than 2020.

Our fire department has embraced the mantra Built Different, and our goal is to build a station that is the physical manifestation of that.”

_{Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr.}

You’re invited: National Night Out is Thursday, October 23 [FREE]

National Night Out in Irondale 2025 — Come on out for a free, family-friendly event in Irondale (City of Irondale)

Ready to meet these safety heroes for yourself? Come on down to Irondale’s National Night Out this Thursday. Here are all the details on this FREE, family-friendly event:

When: Thursday, October 23rd from 5:30-7:30PM
Where: The Hill: 5415 Beacon Drive in Irondale
Expect: to meet first responders, enjoy free food + drinks, check out all of the cool equipment + more!

What are you doing to improve your fire safety knowledge? Visit your local fire department + follow the City of Irondale‘s fire department to stay in the know.

Sponsored by: