Gadsden Fire Department

10/13/2026

Gadsden Fire Department Responds to High-Angle Rescue at Noccalula Falls Park

The Gadsden Fire Department responded today to a high-angle rescue at Noccalula Falls Park and Campground after a visitor experienced chest pain while hiking in the gorge. Rescues in this rugged terrain present unique challenges, requiring specialized equipment, technical expertise, and a coordinated response from multiple personnel and agencies. Technical rescues are manpower-intensive operations that often require numerous firefighters and emergency responders to safely reach, assess, and remove a patient from difficult-to-access locations while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

This incident came shortly after the Gadsden Fire Department hosted a Technical Rescue Personnel Rope Awareness and Operations course in conjunction with Alabama Fire College. Today, some of the personnel who participated in that training had the opportunity to put their knowledge and skills to use in a real-world emergency. This is an excellent example of how ongoing training and preparation help our personnel respond to challenging incidents and serve our community and visitors safely and effectively.

Responding Gadsden Fire Department units and personnel included Engine 5, Quint 4, Engine 7, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Training Officer, Fire Marshals 1 and 2, Battalion Chief 2, and Chief Brown. Additional responding agencies and personnel included Advantage EMS Ambulance 1 and staff from Noccalula Falls Park and Campground. We appreciate the coordinated efforts of everyone involved in this challenging rescue operation.
10/12/26

10/11/2026

10/10/2026

Structure Fire on Gadsden’s West Side

This morning, the Gadsden Fire Department responded to a structure fire on the west side of Gadsden. Upon arrival, firefighters found the structure fully involved in fire. Crews quickly deployed master streams to deliver large volumes of water and bring the fire under control. The intensity of the fire also resulted in heat damage to the homes on both sides of the burning structure, highlighting the danger these incidents pose to neighboring properties.

Fires of this magnitude are challenging under any conditions, but strong winds can make them especially dangerous and difficult to control. Wind-driven fires can intensify flames, push heat toward nearby structures, and carry burning embers ahead of the fire. Downed, energized power lines at the scene further complicated firefighting operations, creating additional electrical hazards for responding personnel. Strong winds and gusts associated with tropical weather systems can increase these challenges, making fire control and the protection of nearby homes even more difficult. Rapid deployment of master streams and coordinated firefighting operations are critical to controlling the fire while protecting firefighters and surrounding properties.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
10/10/26

10/09/2026

This week, the Gadsden Fire Department was proud to host firefighters from Gadsden, Rainbow City, Anniston, and Scottsboro for the Alabama Fire College’s Technical Rescue Personnel: Rope Awareness & Operations course.

This hands-on training focused on building the skills needed to safely and effectively respond to technical rope rescue emergencies.

We appreciate everyone who participated and the opportunity to train alongside our neighboring departments.

10/08/2026

Please be aware that there will be a fire presence at the Falls today and tomorrow due to the Gadsden Fire Department hosting the Alabama Fire College’s Technical Rescue Personnel: Rope Awareness and Operations. 🚒👨🏻‍🚒

We’re proud to offer our park to support continued training and stronger rescue capabilities across our region! We are grateful to all of our first responders!

10/08/2026

Technical Rescue Training at Noccalula Falls!

The Gadsden Fire Department is proud to host the Alabama Fire College’s Technical Rescue Personnel: Rope Awareness and Operations course today and tomorrow at Noccalula Falls.

This hands-on training provides firefighters with valuable skills and experience to safely respond to technical rescue emergencies.

We’re proud to support continued training and stronger rescue capabilities across our region!

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

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