Saving, Serving, and Protecting
Organized in 1980 and State certified on December 2nd, 1983, the Sylvania Volunteer Fire Department has continued a tradition of professionalism, improvement and service to citizens of its thirty-five square mile coverage area.
In December 1996, Bobby Abbott took over as Fire Chief and set a goal to lower the departments ISO rating of 8/9. After 3 years of hard work the department was surveyed and received a rating of 6/9. It was felt by its members that an even better rating could be achieved and the goal was set to do so.
Unfortunately, July 20, 2000 proved to be dark day for the department, the town and the citizens of its fire coverage as the department was dispatched to structure fire that turned out to be its own fire hall. Despite the courageous efforts of six surrounding departments, every piece of equipment, documentation and 20 years of volunteer work and effort went up in flames. While it was an extreme set-back, the determination of the firefighters never wavered as the rebuilding process began immediately. The donations of money, equipment, fire apparatus, thoughts and prayers began to arrive and in a very short time the department was back on its feet and ready to move forward.
Unfortunately, July 20, 2000 proved to be dark day for the department, the town and the citizens of its fire coverage as the department was dispatched to structure fire that turned out to be its own fire hall. Despite the courageous efforts of six surrounding departments, every piece of equipment, documentation and 20 years of volunteer work and effort went up in flames. While it was an extreme set-
In May 2005 the department was surveyed again by ISO, due to the fire and received a rating of 6. The department proved that a small volunteer fire department had the ability to achieve a single ISO class rating when it introduced DeKalb County to the Tanker Shuttle concept. While insignificant to some, it was monumental to the fire service in this area and in DeKalb County. It meant that citizens that had always paid insurance rates based on the higher rating could now take advantage of the savings associated with the lower rating.
Sylvania Fire Department had more goals, other than its ISO rating. In 2001, the department attended the annual conference of the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments and competed in the firefighter competition. This first competition proved to be a learning experience and the goal was set for Sylvania to be the best in the state. The hard work and dedication paid off in 2003 when they won first place honors for the first, but not last, time. For three more years, consecutively, Sylvania was the undisputed best in the state as it brought home top honors in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In addition to this, Sylvania was instrumental in bringing the competition to DeKalb County when in 2002, the DeKalb County Association of Fire Departments hosted the first annual DeKalb County Firefighters Competition. As the years progressed, Sylvania was able to claim County Champions in 2004 and 2005.
In September, 2007, Daryl Lester took command of the department, bringing twelve years of experience with a paid fire department and continuing his eighteen years of service with Sylvania. As tradition would have it, the department continued to prepare for yet another ISO rating and was surveyed in November and is currently awaiting the results. The department is currently preparing for the 2008 competition season, set goals to up-grade existing equipment, expand its capabilities to include extrication services if called to vehicle collisions, provide the citizens of its fire coverage with the best protection they can receive and prepare the town of Sylvania, the citizens and the department for the future.
Fire Department 14 Enterprise Street
Sylvania, Al 35988
256-638-1070
Sylvania, Al 35988
256-
