Attention Rockford, surrounding areas
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
This was not my original column for this week, but maybe this is more important. For the last few weeks there have been issues about the Rockford Volunteer Fire Department going around that have been very disturbing.
While I had heard for several years that it was not a really active VFD, I had not realized it was almost non-responsive. Since I now live in Rockford and will be depending on them myself, I started asking questions and listening to several people who had called 911, but the RVFD did not come to the scene.
One person explained a fire at her house, and it was only saved by the Hanover VFD responding. When she expressed appreciation about the folks from Hanover she was called out for not being more supportive of the RVFD. She had no idea why our local fire department did not respond.
Another person called 911 because a tractor ran over the side of her husband’s face and his chest. After her call going to several other areas (her cell phone has a different area code) it finally made its way to the dispatcher in Rockford. A call went out to COOSA 22 – our wonderful ambulance service – and they responded even not knowing what the situation was. But there was not a call put out to the fire department (that anyone knows of). More explanation will follow.
Town Hall had been receiving calls from citizens asking about the fire department and complaining about the lack of service. Mayor White explained that the fire department was not part of the Rockford services, but that he would look into it. He contacted Unterio Butler because he was the person who made the Facebook post complaining about the praise for Hanover.
Mr. Butler, who identified himself as the fire chief, shared some issues with Mayor White that led to even more questions that brought about a suggested meeting to get to the bottom of things. It was set up for 6:30 this past Tuesday night.
I had mentioned the meeting in last week’s paper and spread the word asking residents to attend. Sometime before 6 p.m. Mayor White received a call saying there was a crowd at the Fire Station. When we arrived at 6:30, they were finishing a “business” meeting led by “Chief” Butler. Board members Ronda and Terry Dennis, Wayne Windsor and Jamey Johnson were in attendance, as were several members of the fire department.
It became apparent they had voted in Chief Butler and determined they would hold Board meetings once a year (in January) unless something came up. The fire department falls under the Open Meetings Act and is REQUIRED to give advance notice of meetings to the public. The last announcement of a meeting on their Facebook page was from May 30, 2025!
It seemed the reason for the members and Board members being early was they wanted to take care of some business before the public got there!
They discussed the fact that their radios do not work correctly, and calls are not being received. It was stated that the problem had been going on for quite a while (months) and even a “test” call out was requested from the Sheriff’s Dispatch. No one got it. Wayne Windsor suggested a new type of program that would correct the situation, but the sheriff would have to approve it.
There was also some discussion about “someone” telling the dispatcher NOT to call out the FD unless the ambulance was not available. There was a circular firing squad pointing fingers at the different “someone” who might have done it.
Back to the man under the tractor – the RVFD was NOT called to go to the scene because the dispatcher didn’t know if they would really be needed. OUCH!
The “business” part of the meeting was closed and moved to have questions from the public who were in attendance. Questions were asked about how well they were stocked on emergency medical items. Mayor White offered to help with supplies that the Town might be able to provide. First Aid kits should be available on all trucks and vehicles.
The main surprise was they had two AEDs, or automated external defibrillators, that they have never opened because they hadn’t been trained on them! AEDs are now made for the intelligence level of idiots and do not require any major training as long as you can read instructions.
Visitors asked what type of help the department needs and, of course, volunteers are definitely needed. The minimum age is 18; some are needed who can handle some of the physical activities, drivers and other things not requiring physically fighting fires.
Supposedly they will start having training meetings, but I’m not clear on the dates or time. If you are available and interested, watch for announcements.
I asked about fundraising that might be needed, but was told they do not do that so I asked how the department was funded. Jamey Johnson said they have three separate accounts with funds from the Alabama Forestry Commission, fire fees and taxes. One of the accounts has $29,000 in it. In a conversation with Mayor White earlier, Chief Butler had told him he was buying some supplies out of his own pocket.
The idea of better promotion to the public was also discussed. Cory Shaw did say some community outreach might be a good idea.
Please understand this information comes from notes being made when there were discussions and conversations being made at both ends of the room. Much of this could just be hearsay, rumors, or misunderstandings, but the full truth needs to come out in order to correct the issues. If I have misquoted you or misunderstood what you said or wrote, I apologize – just let me know, and I will make corrections where necessary.
This was a very eye-opening meeting and was at least a start at trying to bring the RVFD back to life. There are quite a few areas of organization and necessary requirements that need to be put into place – like minutes of meetings, financial reports and recruitment. If I get any updates I’ll write about them next week.
