Autauga County Volunteer Firefighters, Emergency Services Explained for Residents

More than 200 neighbors - plumbers, teachers, retirees, parents - are on call right now to respond to a fire or emergency somewhere between Marbury and Autaugaville. They do it without a paycheck. Understanding who they are, how the system fits together, and where to turn in a crisis is essential knowledge for every household in Autauga County.

The backbone: Autauga County Firefighters Association

The Autauga County Firefighters Association, operating under the motto "Always Ready," is the umbrella organization uniting the county's volunteer fire service. According to the association's own description, "We are 10 volunteer fire departments that provide emergency services in Autauga County. We have over 200 operational volunteers participating in every aspect of emergency services: from Command Officer to Department Treasurer. No matter what our role, we all share one desire: to contribute to one of the best fire and rescue systems in the country and to make a difference in the communities we serve."

That span of roles - from the incident commander directing crews at a structure fire to the treasurer managing the department's budget - reflects the reality that keeping a volunteer department functional requires far more than firefighters alone. The association can be reached at its listed address of 2226 HWY 14 W, Autaugaville, AL 36003.

The ten member departments and where they serve

The association's numbered roster covers communities spread across the county's geography. Each department carries an identification number that reflects its place within the county's dispatch and coordination system:

• 100 Marbury FD - Marbury
• 200 Pentecost FD - (spelling note: a statewide directory lists this department as "Lilly Hill/Pentacost Volunteer Fire Department" based in Marbury, ZIP 36051; the association's own spelling is "Pentecost")
• 300 Booth FD - Booth, ZIP 36008
• 400 Jones FD - Jones, ZIP 36749
• 500 Autaugaville FD - Autaugaville, ZIP 36003
• 600 Billingsley FD - Billingsley, ZIP 36006
• 700 Pine Level FD - Prattville area, ZIP 36066
• 800 White City FD - Marbury area, ZIP 36051
• 900 Independence FD
• 1100 Old Kingston FD

Beyond the ten fire departments, the association's full roster also includes 1200 Autauga County Rescue Squad and Chaplain 1, reflecting the full scope of the county's volunteer emergency response network. Associate members of the association include the Alabama Forestry Commission and Autauga County EMA, signaling the formal connections that tie volunteer fire service to state and county government resources.

Alongside the volunteer network, Prattville Fire Department serves as the county's municipal career department, providing coverage to the county seat. Alabama's statewide fire department directories list 664 fire departments across the state, with Autauga County's volunteer and municipal departments contributing to that total.

How the county coordinates: Autauga County Emergency Management Agency

The volunteer departments don't operate in isolation. Autauga County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) serves as the coordinating layer that connects fire departments, law enforcement, and other agencies into a unified response framework. As the agency describes its role: "Autauga County Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating with all the emergency response agencies such as the Sheriffs Office, Fire Departments, Police Departments, etc. We combine our Emergency Operations Plans with these agencies to ensure that in the event of a disaster, every agency can work together."

The agency's mission statement captures both its protective and educational mandate: "The Autauga County Emergency Management Agency's mission is to assist in protecting lives, property, and the environment by utilizing the four phases of emergency management: Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation. It is our goal to educate Autauga County's citizens in these four phases so that we may together be capable of successfully enduring any emergency situation."

Those four phases - Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation - provide the framework through which the county approaches everything from a structure fire in a rural community to a severe weather event affecting the whole county. EMA writes Emergency Operations Plans, pursues grants to fund preparedness, and conducts training for both response agencies and the general public. Outreach extends into county schools and senior centers, where staff deliver disaster preparedness presentations.

EMA is located at 826 Gillespie Street, Prattville, AL 36067. Director David Bagley leads the agency. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, and is closed on state holidays. For after-hours emergencies or urgent contacts outside business hours, the after-hours line is (334) 361-4840. During regular hours, the main number is (334) 361-3758, with a fax at (334) 361-8652. Residents with questions about the storm shelter tax credit can contact the Alabama Department of Revenue Individual Income Tax division at (334) 242-1170, Option 1.

The county's EMA website also provides an Action Center with access to Payments, Jobs, Forms, Links, and Interactive Maps - a useful starting point for residents navigating county resources before or after a disaster.

911 and emergency dispatch

Autauga County's emergency services include a county 911 dispatch system that coordinates response across both urban and rural communities. For any life-threatening emergency, fire, or rescue situation, call 911. The dispatch system connects callers to the appropriate responding agency. Residents in areas served by volunteer departments should be aware that response times in rural settings can vary based on volunteer availability and distance from the nearest station - one reason EMA emphasizes preparedness education as a first line of defense.

The association's vision: technology, education, and inclusion

The Autauga County Firefighters Association has articulated three guiding principles for its future direction. Each reflects a commitment that goes beyond simply responding to calls:

• "Using new technology, safe practices and proper codes and standards to increase the safety of our members and the citizens they serve."
• "Effective public education on what to do before, during and after an emergency in order to protect lives, homes and businesses from fire."
• "Diversity among our membership and the fire service."

The emphasis on public education before, during, and after an emergency aligns directly with EMA's community outreach mission. Together, the two organizations form a preparedness-to-response continuum that covers every phase from planning through recovery.

How to get involved

The association actively recruits through community events, most notably Prattville City Fest, where volunteers set up to answer questions and explain how county residents can join a local department. Roles within each department range from operational firefighting positions to administrative and support functions - meaning there are meaningful ways to contribute regardless of physical capacity or prior training. Anyone interested can connect with the association at its Autaugaville address or look for the departments at community events throughout the year.

The Autauga County Firefighters Association's reach across ten communities - from Old Kingston to Pine Level to Billingsley - depends entirely on volunteers who choose to serve. Understanding the structure behind that service, and knowing how it connects to county-level coordination through EMA and the 911 system, helps residents make better decisions before an emergency happens, not during one.