Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a Dothan Fire Fighter?

The Dothan Fire Department only accepts application during certain times of the year. To very what opening there are currently please visit the City of Dothan’s website at job opportunities and to be notified when the fire departments registry becomes available register at the Job Interest Card location and you will receive and email when we are accepting applications. 

What is the Dothan Fire Department?

We are an all paid, equal employment opportunity, emergency service delivery system, consisting of men and women of various racial, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. These members have honed their skills to deliver fire suppression strategies, emergency medical care, fire prevention, and educational service programs, and hold nationally recognized professional certifications.

Opportunities

The Dothan Fire Department with its diversity offers many career advancement opportunities. Members may seek promotion to sergeant after serving five years as a firefighter. Firefighters may concentrate in specialty areas which may include suppression, prevention, hazardous materials, or emergency medical services responsibilities.

Educational and certification programs necessary to qualify for advancement are available. The Dothan Fire Department provides continuing education throughout your career and an excellent compensation and benefits package.

Why should my home have smoke alarms?

In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are the single most important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal.

Where do smoke alarms go in my home?

Smoke detectors should be placed near the sleeping locations in your home. They should be placed to alert you prior to the smoke reaching your bed room if your sleeping in the event of a fire.

How do I keep my smoke alarms working?

Simply replace the battery once a year. A good way to remember is when your clock changes for Daylight Saving Time change your smoke alarm batteries. The Dothan Fire Department now replaces smoke detectors with a 10 year battery life.

What if the smoke alarm goes off while Im cooking?

Then it’s doing its job. Do not disable your smoke alarm if it alarms due to cooking or other non-fire causes. You may not remember to put the batteries back in the alarm after cooking. Instead, clear the air by waving a towel near the alarm, leaving the batteries in place. The alarm may have to be moved to a new location. If you have a home security system make sure you advise you alarm company that there is no fire and nature of alarm sounding.

Can you burn waste within the city limits?

No, burning is not allowed within the city limits of Dothan. The city provides waste removal thus there is no burning of any kind.

Is it possible to obtain a copy of the fire report?

Yes, you can. Please visit the Fire Reports Request page to request a report for a Fire, Hazmat call, Medical Emergency or Vehicle Accident or call 334.615.3500

How do I request a Fire Inspection

Fire Inspections are completed by the Fire Departments Prevention Officers. Anyone needing a fire inspections please see our Fire Inspections page for information.

What is my ISO rating?

If you live in the city limits of Dothan your current Insurance Rating is a 1.

Why do firefighters break windows or cut holes in the roof during a fire?

As a fire burns, it moves upward then outward. The Dothan Fire Department goes to every effort not to break windows but to raise them and remove the screens. In the effort they will not raise, breaking the windows and/or cutting holes in the roof (called ventilation) slows the damaging outward movement, helps remove blinding smoke that obscures the actual fire, and enables firefighters to fight the fire more efficiently. The result of this action is less damage to the structure in the long run.

Why do firefighters cut holes in the wall during a fire?

This is done so that the fire department is absolutely sure that the fire is completely out, and that there is no fire inside walls or other hidden places.

Why can’t a firefighter have a beard?

This is to protect firefighters when they enter burning builds. The mask that is worn supplying the fresh oxygen will not seal to their face.

Why do fire trucks respond to medical calls?

In the City of Dothan the fire department and ambulance service works together for the betterment of the patients we serve. The fire department is dispatched first and responds with Paramedic engines. Engines can be anywhere in their territory within 5 minutes of a call providing patient care. Once the ambulance arrives on scene the Paramedics work together to decide best outcome for patient transport.

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