01/25/2024
Supporting Our First Responders
Each day, first response personnel in Chilton County must be prepared to meet the emergency needs of more than 45,000 residents. Additionally, law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians must also be equipped, trained and available to respond to accidents, incidents and other events along Interstate 65, the most heavily traveled highway system in Alabama. With approximately 40,000 vehicles utilizing the interstate each day, local first responders have the additional responsibility of serving a transient population equal to that of Chilton County.
Although our municipalities and county government make every effort to provide adequate funding for first response personnel, the increasing costs of equipment, training and certification and the effects of inflation continue to erode the operating budgets of these departments.
Recently, a group of Chilton County residents initiated a volunteer effort to provide financial assistance to first response organizations in Chilton County. Established by Brandy Clackley, Brian Jones, Debbie Street, Chris Whittle and Darren Wilson, the Chilton County First Response Endowment Fund is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to solicit financial contributions to help offset the rising costs of equipping and training emergency response personnel.
According to its mission statement, the organization will “Solicit financial support for first response agencies and organizations in Chilton County, Alabama to assist in the development of infrastructure and the acquisition of equipment to better serve and protect residents and visitors through improved training, response capability and community engagement.”
A priority project of the group is to seek contributions for the completion of a training facility for law enforcement officers in Chilton County. Initially, the facility will be used for qualification and proficiency training and other types of continuing education. Ultimately, this facility could be expanded to include training for firefighters and other first response personnel.
To obtain additional information on the Chilton County First Response Endowment Fund, contact Debbie Street at 205-755-6840, Extension 255or Brandy Clackley at 205-294-1721. Information about the group and its mission can also be obtained at [email protected].
