Prattville Fire Department graduates new firefighters after 10 weeks of training

Prattville’s fire service added a fresh wave of trained firefighters after a 10-week class wrapped up in the city, a staffing step that matters in a department already carrying a heavy emergency workload across 36 square miles of Autauga County.

The Prattville Fire Department responds to fire, medical and rescue incidents, including hazardous materials events and technical rescues. In 2025, the department logged 6,715 total calls, with 5,179 EMS calls, 19 structure fires and 26 vehicle fires, underscoring how often local crews are pulled from one type of emergency to another. The department also reported 26,496 training hours last year, a sign that staffing readiness depends as much on constant instruction as on response volume.

The graduation also fits Prattville’s broader role as a training hub. The city says the Prattville Training Center serves as a regional campus for the Alabama Fire College, and the Training Division is responsible for ongoing professional development for both new recruits and existing personnel. That gives the city a larger footprint than its own station roster, with Prattville helping prepare firefighters for service well beyond city limits.

Prattville’s recruiting needs remain active. The city says it is still seeking firefighters and EMS personnel, with a 24-on, 48-off schedule and minimum requirements that include being 18, holding a high school diploma or GED, completing the CPAT, submitting a physician-signed physical statement and providing proof of insurance. In a county with 10 volunteer fire departments and more than 200 operational volunteers, according to the Autauga County Firefighters Association, the career department remains a key part of the emergency network that covers both the city and surrounding rural areas.

The graduation comes as Prattville continues investing in public safety infrastructure. City leaders have already backed a $3,911,206 public safety training facility project intended to house training units for both fire and police, and the city also maintains a public safety building at 201 Gin Shop Hill Road. For a department that handles everything from medical calls to vehicle extrications, the latest class is less a ceremonial milestone than another step in keeping emergency coverage staffed as the city and county grow.