ADMINISTRATION
Darren Peeples
Fire Chief
FIRE STATIONS
FIRE STATION #1
204 2nd Avenue NE
Cullman, AL 35055
FIRE STATION #2
1711 Main Avenue SW
Cullman, AL 35055
FIRE STATION #3 | ADMINISTRATION
1920 Butler Street NW
Cullman, AL 35055
256-775-7186
Cullman Fire Rescue, under the supervision of Fire Chief Darren Peeples, is dedicated to serving the community with professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to continuous improvement—creating a long-standing tradition of excellence. Our staff takes great pride in our community, and we believe we are more than just a fire department.
Our Firefighter/EMTs are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, responding from three fire stations. Each year, we respond to more than 5,000 incidents, including structure and vehicle fires, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, medical emergencies, and mutual aid requests. We provide an exceptional all-hazards response, requiring our firefighters to maintain extensive training and certification in advanced life support (ALS), vehicle extrication, firefighting, hazardous materials response, and technical rescue operations.
Cullman Fire Rescue is a proud member of the Alabama Mutual Aid System Division F Response Team (Alabama Task Force 3) and provides mutual aid assistance to surrounding fire departments.
Preventing fires and emergencies before they occur is a top priority for Cullman Fire Rescue. Our prevention and safety programs include fire code inspections, fire investigations, and a wide range of public education efforts—such as fire safety programs in schools, fire extinguisher training, and community-based CPR/AED training.
We are committed to meeting the needs of everyone in our city—residents, visitors, and those who work here—by serving with compassion, professionalism, and a dedication to improvement.
Our Fire Chief is Darren Peeples. The Public Safety Director, who oversees Police, Fire, and Emergency Dispatch, is Brian Bradberry.
Fire Prevention
Code Enforcement
Public Education
Cullman Fire Rescue provides comprehensive fire prevention and safety services for the community. These include fire code inspections, fire investigations, and a variety of public education programs such as fire extinguisher training, job shadowing opportunities, and community CPR/AED classes.
Fire Suppression
Cullman Fire Rescue operates on three rotating 24-hour shifts, providing continuous coverage for the City of Cullman—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
All Firefighter/EMTs meet rigorous training and certification standards. Minimum requirements include State of Alabama Firefighter I/II certification (360-hour career firefighter certification), State of Alabama or National Registry EMT-Basic certification, and Hazardous Materials Technician certification.
The Fire Suppression Division is responsible for combating and controlling fires, responding to hazardous materials incidents, pre-planning commercial and public buildings, maintaining fire hydrants, performing vehicle extrication and rescue operations, providing basic and advanced life support, and responding to a wide range of emergency medical and rescue situations.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) EMS
Fire stations are strategically located throughout the city to ensure a rapid response to fire and emergency medical incidents. Skilled Firefighter/EMTs provide lifesaving interventions, including IV administration, defibrillation, ECG monitoring, intubation, and cardiac drug therapy. Cullman Fire Rescue Firefighter/EMTs maintain close collaboration with local ambulance services to deliver the highest level of medical care to the community.
In addition to routine emergency responses, Cullman Fire Rescue Firefighter/EMTs plan and provide medical and safety support for numerous special events in Cullman.
Hazardous Materials Response
Cullman Fire Rescue responds to all hazardous material incidents, including transportation and industrial accidents, within the City of Cullman. All Firefighter/EMTs are trained to the level of Hazardous Materials Technician and maintain rigorous preparation to safely operate in the highly toxic environments associated with hazardous material response.
Tactical Medics
Cullman Fire Rescue Firefighter/EMTs also serve as Tactical Medics for the Police Department’s Tactical Team, providing medical support during law enforcement special operations. Their presence at high-risk scenes ensures rapid care for injured officers and civilians when seconds count. Firefighter/EMTs train 16 hours per month with the Police Department Tactical Team and participate in certification programs through organizations such as the International School of Tactical Medicine.
Technical Rescue (Cullman TRT)
Established in 2011, the Cullman Fire Rescue Technical Rescue Team (TRT) provides specialized response to complex technical rescue incidents. The team enhances the capabilities of fire and medical services to address confined space rescues, high-angle rescues, trench rescues, water-related emergencies, structural collapses, vehicle extrications, and urban search and rescue operations.
In addition to serving on the Cullman TRT, seven team members are part of the Alabama Mutual Aid System Division F—Alabama Task Force 3, which responds to both natural and man-made disasters at the local, state, and federal levels.
Physical Fitness Training
A Firefighter/EMT’s career is physically demanding and requires a high level of fitness. Physical fitness is a top priority at Cullman Fire Rescue. Firefighter/EMTs engage in one hour of fitness training each day while on shift and complete an annual physical fitness assessment. Additionally, all personnel undergo a rigorous NFPA 1582 physical examination each year to ensure they are medically and physically prepared for duty. These standards help ensure that Firefighter/EMTs receive the care they need while providing the community with the highest level of emergency response.
BECOMING A FIREFIGHTER/EMT
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
- Must have a high school diploma or GED.
- Must have a valid Alabama driver’s license.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Submit an application online.
- Successfully complete the firefighter written exam with a passing score of 70%.
- Provide written confirmation of successful completion of Alabama Fire College approved Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT) or State of Alabama Firefighter I/II certification. (More information can be found online here.)
- Dependent upon qualifications and/or eligibility list placement, a panel interview may be required.
If recommended by the Fire Chief for potential employment applicant must successfully complete:
- Drug and alcohol testing.
- NFPA 1582 physical exam.
- Employment background screening.
REQUIREMENTS TO RETAIN PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT
- Annual NFPA 1582 physical exam and physical agility test.
- State of Alabama firefighter I/II certification within 1 year of employment (approximately 9 weeks).
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification within 1 year of employment. (EMS Certification in Alabama is granted by the Alabama Department of Public Health and administered through various community colleges (approximately 1 college semester).
- Hazardous Materials Technician certification (50-hour course).