In 1955 The Boaz Fire Department was located on South Broad Street and it was a completely volunteer organization led by Fire Chief Red Robinson. The total membership was comprised of 14 volunteer firefighters. The equipment, used by the department, consisted of 2 fire trucks, a 1932 Ford 500 gallon per minute pumper and a 1952 Chevrolet 500 gallon per minute pumper. The city compensated the department’s members by paying them $3.00 per fire call and fire drill they participated with. There were 44 fire calls that year and the city paid the volunteers a combined total of $1995.00 for their services.

  In 1962, The Fire Department was moved to a location on Line Avenue, which also housed City Hall, the Police Department, and The Street and Sanitation Department. Today, this facility is completely occupied by The Boaz Police Department and City Jail.

  1962 was also the year that Ellis Thompson was hired as the “First” Fulltime Fire Chief for the City of Boaz. Chief Thompson held the position for approximately 2 years. In 1964, Billy B. Dyar was named Fire Chief. Chief Dyar held the position for approximately 8 years. Chief Dyar was later voted in to serve as The Mayor for the City of Boaz for several terms. In 1972, Jackie w. Nicholson was appointed as Fire Chief. Chief Nicholson hold the distinction as being the longest sitting Fire Chief. Chief Nicholson held the rank of Chief for 28 years. In 1988, during Chief Nicholson’s tenure, the Fire Department was relocated to its current location on the corner of Brown Street and East Mann Avenue. In 2000 Olen A. Morrison was appointed to the position of Fire Chief, where he still serves today. Chief Morrison continues to carry on the traditions of his predecessors by providing quality training and equipment, to his staff, in order to insure quality service, and response, to the citizens of Boaz.

  Many Things have changed since 1955, especially over the last 10 years. As a result of the past 10 years, today Boaz Fire & Rescue consist of 14 Fulltime/Career Firefighter and 8 Volunteer/Paid On Call Firefighters. The Equipment today consists of 3 Class A pumpers, with a minimum pumping capacity of 1000 gallons per minute, 65 foot Aerial Ladder truck, a Hazardous Materials/Special Operations Unit, and a number of utility/personnel units. The Department maintains a Class 5 ISO rating.

  The Worst conflagration (devastating fire) in Boaz Fire Department history occurred in November of 1977. It involved the Boaz Junior High School, which was located on Thomas Avenue (Future Home of Boaz Public Library) and occupied an entire city block. 11 Fire Departments, from surrounding cities were called for their assistance with 77 Firefighters battling the blaze. The age and construction of the building made it very difficult to extinguish the fire, but due to the teamwork, determination and commitment of all involved, the Firefighters were able to save the gymnasium, lunchroom and 2 classrooms. This was a great loss for the Citizens of Boaz.