Pine Apple Volunteer Fire Department

09/08/2026

🚨🔥 SPECIAL PAVFD ALERT: THE CHIEF IS 80! 🔥🚨

Happy 80th Birthday to our Fire Chief, Mike Melton! 🎂🚒

We dug deep into the archives and found this photo of Chief Mike at about 2 years old. As you can see, he was already sizing things up, supervising everybody, and wondering why no one had brought the fire truck. 😂

Mike has been around Pine Apple so long that when he started fighting fires, we’re pretty sure the trucks were pulled by horses. 🐴🚒 And after 80 years, he still hasn’t figured out how to retire!

All joking aside, we are thankful for Mike and his many years of service, leadership, friendship, and dedication to our community.

Help us wish this 80-year-young fire chief a VERY Happy Birthday! 🎉🎂

Happy Birthday, Mike! And don’t worry, we’ve got the fire extinguishers ready for all those candles! 🔥🎂🧯

Wilcox County 911 Alabama Forestry Commission

09/05/2026

🇺🇸 ONLY 13 LEFT — NOW $16! 🚒

Our exclusive Pine Apple Volunteer Fire Department 250th American Flag T-Shirts are marked down from $25 to just $16 — SAVE $9!

ONE-TIME PRINTING. When they’re gone, they’re gone!

✨ Comfort Colors® • 100% cotton
✨ Fire Department logo on front pocket
✨ 250th American flag design on back
✨ 1776–2026

Sizes left:
Adult: 2 L | 6 XXL | 1 ###L
Youth: 1 M | 3 XL

🇺🇸 All proceeds benefit the Pine Apple Volunteer Fire Department.

📍 Available at Pine Apple Mercantile Company, located at Moore Academy
Thursday–Saturday • 10 AM–4 PM
Cash or check only — checks payable to Pine Apple Volunteer Fire Department.

Only 13 remain! Grab yours for $16 before they’re gone.

Message us for more info! 🇺🇸🚒

09/05/2026

Please stay aware! Wilcox County 911

09/03/2026

Come join us for our monthly meeting tonight at 6 PM!

09/03/2026

🔥 The Tower That Holds a Lifetime of Memories

Our friend Jackson Knight of Rambling The Alabama Black Belt shares the story of the Lookout Hill Fire Tower, built in 1939; a landmark with a history that is also deeply personal to him.

Fire lookout towers like this one were once an important part of wildfire protection across Alabama and the South.

We always enjoy Jackson’s videos and the way he brings our area’s history to life. Take a few minutes to watch and learn more about this special old fire tower and the lifetime of memories it holds. 🔥🌲

08/26/2026

🚒 Training makes us better!

PAVFD firefighters Justin, Mike, and James L. attended a Driver Simulation Class sponsored by the Camden Volunteer Fire Department last night.

It was a great class and a valuable opportunity to practice emergency vehicle driving skills in a safe, controlled setting. We appreciate our volunteers giving their time to continue learning and improving their skills, and a big thank you to Camden VFD for sponsoring the training and to the Alabama Fire College for the class!

👏 Great job, Justin, Mike, and James!

Pine Apple, AL Wilcox County 911

08/23/2026

🚒 Thursday Night = Work Night at PAVFD! 🔧

Keeping a volunteer fire department ready to answer the call takes more than responding to emergencies. It also takes plenty of behind-the-scenes work, upkeep, and maintenance.

Thursday night, several of our volunteers spent time repairing our trucks and keeping them ready for the next call. Our fleet has served us well; our newest truck is a 1999 Chevrolet, along with our 1984 Ford pumper and 1983 Chevrolet tanker. These trucks may have some years on them, but we are thankful to have them and especially thankful for volunteers with the mechanical skills to keep them going!

A big THANK YOU to Justin, Rusty, Gray, James H., James L., and Mike for showing up and getting the work done. 👏

There is always something that needs fixing, checking, or maintaining, and it takes dedicated volunteers to make it happen.

❤️🚒 Thank you for taking care of the trucks that help take care of our community!

Wilcox County 911

08/21/2026

Congratulations to all 150 departments selected for this grant and especially to the seven departments here in Alabama! Central Volunteer Fire Department, Louisville Fire and Rescue, Hanover Volunteer Fire Dept., Hipine Volunteer Fire Department, Empire Fire & Rescue, Saragossa Volunteer Fire Department and Killen Fire Rescue!

We had certainly hoped to be among this year’s recipients. As a small volunteer department that receives no funding from our county and only about $1,000 annually from the state, grants like this can make an enormous difference in our ability to maintain equipment and serve our community.

We’re disappointed, but not discouraged. We’ll keep looking for opportunities, keep applying, and we’ll try again next year!

Congratulations again to all of the departments receiving this much-needed support, and thank you to State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council for investing in volunteer fire departments across the country.

Wilcox County 911 Alabama Forestry Commission Wilcox Progressive Era Newspaper

🚒 Congratulations to the 150 volunteer fire departments selected to receive a $10,000 Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program grant from State Farm®!

As we celebrate Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day, we're proud to recognize these departments and the dedicated volunteers who serve their communities every day. These grants will help purchase critical equipment that keeps firefighters safe and strengthens emergency response.

A huge thank you to State Farm for continuing to invest in the volunteer fire service through this incredible program.

🔗 View the full list of recipients: https://buff.ly/akr9ZOw

08/21/2026

We love this reminder shared by one of our own volunteers, Kathy. ❤️🚒

Volunteer firefighters don’t answer the call for a paycheck. They do it because they care about their neighbors and their community.

We are grateful for all our volunteers who answer the call when our community needs them most.

And thank you, Kathy, for sharing this wonderful reminder of what volunteer service is all about!

Wilcox County 911
🚒 Neighbors helping neighbors. That’s what volunteer fire service means.

🚒👩‍🚒🔥

08/18/2026

It’s National Volunteer Firefighters Day! Thank you to our firefighters! 🚒

Today, we celebrate our volunteer firefighters and the countless hours they dedicate to protecting their communities. Thank you for your courage, service, and commitment to keeping Alabama families safe.