By: Sarah Blizzard Robinson

If you ever need firefighters to show up on your property to save lives or to help solve a serious issue like the one we had in our home recently, I can attest to the professional, courteous, and thorough job accomplished by the team at Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department, the FVFD. 

For several days prior, we’d noticed an odor coming from our gas oven. Not too concerned, we fired it up and cooked anyway. But the evening we sat down to dinner with our freshly baked potatoes, the moment we reached for the butter, the carbon monoxide detectors raised a blaring and relentless alarm. 

Unable to figure out what was going on, we finally called 911. The operator came on immediately and asked, “What’s your emergency?” Within minutes of giving our address and explaining our situation, the first red fire truck announced its arrival on our street. 

First responders dressed head-to-toe in full equipment jumped from their truck and met us at our front door. Two more units responded to our emergency while my husband and I waved to our neighbors, who were wondering what all the flashing lights and sirens were for.

It was quickly determined we had high levels of the lethal, odorless gas in our home. Perplexed at how the carbon monoxide levels became so high, I stood outside with my husband while the firefighters opened every exterior door and every window, ran their portable fans, and read and reread their carbon monoxide sensors to determine the levels of the lethal gas as it slowly began to dissipate. 

Someone from their unit called the Gas Company, and by the time their technician arrived, he quickly discovered the issue. He poked his head out where my husband and I were standing on the lawn and asked me to come inside for a second.

“Here’s your problem,” he said. He opened the oven door and reached inside for the black, heat-resistant, nonstick oven liner, that plastic mat thingy we order online to catch any drips to help keep our ovens clean. I’d made the mistake of placing the mat all the way on the bottom of the oven. Plus, it was too wide, covering crucial side vents, trapping the carbon monoxide fumes, and releasing them through the top vents on the back of my stove. 

Relieved to know the source of the odorless killer, when the technician asked me, “Could I take this oven liner with me? We have training coming up, and I’d like to show our students what harm these things can do,” I said, “Please take it with you!”

Relieved and grateful, my husband and I waited outside a bit longer for the all-clear before we went back inside well over an hour later. During the wait, we got to chat with the firefighters and learned more about them. When asked about being a volunteer, one of the firefighters said, “See these men? They’re all your neighbors.” 

I became more interested in the service the Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department provides, and after making a quick Venmo donation to their crew, I followed them on Facebook. I ensured I was there when they advertised their Open House on June 3rd. My husband and I were able to thank them all again personally and learn more about the leaders.

Chris Ellis, the Fire Chief, heads his team. He and two Assistant Chiefs, Dalton Combs and David Thomas talked with me about their members. “We’re from all walks of life: retired business people, former military service personnel, janitors, teachers, you name it. This summer, we’ll average one hundred calls per month, many of them to put out grass fires, among other things. In winter, we deal with heaters that go off or smell funny.” 

When asked how they recruit the volunteers, Assistant Chief Combs said, “Our application is online. We read through the applications at our business meeting. Then, there’s a sixty-day, get-to-know-us stage where the applicants learn the basics.” Combs and Thomas both came into the volunteer ranks through their schools, through the Explorer Post, geared for ages 14-18. The rookies, Junior Firefighters, learned the basics. By the time they turned 18, they were ready to become volunteers.  

Through a big cooperative effort, the City of Fairhope and the community help support the four fire stations. A fifth is on the drawing board. The city funds the maintenance, and the community helps with fundraisers, including mailing out an annual letter to the members of their jurisdiction. Funds are also raised through raffles (a Big Green Egg ceramic cooker was raffled off at the Open House.) All of these efforts help offset the operating costs. 

When the FVFD showed up at our house, it was all hands on deck to make sure we were safe. I’ll never forget the impression they made on us and how well we did because of their dedication. They’re your neighbors and are always ready to come to your rescue!